Childhood Trauma, Self-Esteem, and Helping Behaviors: Does History of Trauma Predict Helping?

<p>There is insufficient evidence from the available research to fully determine the relationship between self-esteem and helping behaviors. Specifically, some findings indicate that those with lower self-esteem are less likely to help others than those with higher self-esteem (Michelini, Wilson, & Messe, 1975), while others show the opposite trend (Briggs, Landry, & Wood, 2007). Individuals with a history of childhood trauma are more likely to report low self-esteem than those with no history of childhood trauma (Valerio & Lepper, 2009); also, those with a history of trauma are more likely to help others (Frazier, Greer, Gabrielsen, Tennen, Park, & Tomlich, 2012). Based on the available literature, it is difficult to predict 1. whether someone with low self-esteem will help others more than someone with higher self-esteem, and 2. whether the lower self-esteem reported by those with a history of childhood trauma is related to the likelihood of helping behaviors. The current study investigated these gaps in the literature regarding self-esteem, childhood trauma, and helping behaviors. Participants completed questionnaires on self-esteem and history of trauma experiences and provided demographic information. Additionally, to evaluate current helping behaviors, participants were given the opportunity to further assist the researchers with several tasks. Number of helping tasks completed as well as self-esteem scores were the dependent variables. The results revealed that individuals who report a history of trauma were more likely to endorse lower self-esteem, but were also more likely to engage in helping behaviors than individuals with no history of trauma. Additionally, the results revealed no evidence of self-esteem mediating the relationship between trauma history and helping behaviors.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Experimental Psychology (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Joseph, Adriana B

Contributors dc:contributor

• Karen Naufel
• Jeff Klibert

• ETD
• childhood trauma
• self-esteem
• helping behaviors
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1130

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-2158