Optimism and its Relationship to Self-Esteem among Female University Students in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: A Study of Differences among Students in Light of Cultural Background
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Edu.2026.12980Keywords:
Optimism, self-esteem, cultural background, United Arab Emirates, Female Students.Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationship between optimism and self-esteem among female university students in the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It also sought to determine the levels of optimism and self-esteem and to examine the differences between female students according to cultural background (citizen and expatriate) based on these two variables.
Methods: The study adopted the descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected using the Optimism Scale developed by Eid et al. (2016) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The sample consisted of (305) female students from universities in the Emirate of Sharjah, distributed between citizen students (from within the United Arab Emirates) and expatriate students (from outside the United Arab Emirates).
Results: The results indicated that the female students demonstrated high levels of optimism and self-esteem. The findings also revealed a positive relationship between optimism and self-esteem. Furthermore, the comparison based on cultural background showed that expatriate female students scored higher than citizen students in both optimism and self-esteem.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of promoting optimism among female students in order to enhance self-esteem through programs that support positive aspects and continuous development, without the necessity of the presence of a crisis or deficiency. The study recommends providing workshops and motivational activities aimed at continuously promoting optimism and self-esteem among female students.
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