Assertiveness, Self- Esteem and Mental Health among Rural Undergraduate Students of Bihar: A Psychological Study

Abstract

The present study was accomplished to correlate a relation between assertive behaviour, self-esteem and mental health among rural undergraduate students of Darbhanga, Bihar.  Today’s students are facing different psychological problems i.e. depression, insecurity, confusion etc. The purpose of this study is to investigate the assertiveness, self-esteem and mental health level of undergraduate students. Present study consists of 80 undergraduate students belonging to age group of 18-25 years selected from different constituent degree colleges of Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga, Bihar. The tool used by the researcher for this study is Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS, 1978), Self-Esteem Scale (e.g., Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38). The findings of the study showed that there is significant difference in assertiveness among rural students. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between assertiveness and self-esteem, and both variables are positively associated with mental health. Low assertiveness was linked with higher levels of stress and anxiety. The study highlights the need for psychological interventions and life skills training programs in rural educational settings to enhance students’ well-being.