Gender Differences in Self-Esteem among Employed and Unemployed Adults in Hyderabad City: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of gender identity (i.e., being male or female) and employment status on the self-esteem of adults residing in Hyderabad city. For this purpose, 400 individuals aged 18 to 60 years were selected, including an unequal number of employed and unemployed men and women, so that the results could be compared appropriately during the analysis. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), an internationally recognized psychological scale, was used to assess the self-esteem level of these individuals. The data obtained were analyzed using the "Independent Samples T-test" to detect any significant difference in self-esteem scores between different groups. The results of the analysis revealed that there was no significant or statistically significant difference in self-esteem scores between employed men and women (p = .539). Similarly, there was no significant difference in self-esteem between unemployed men and women (p = .909). Overall, when all men and all women were compared, the mean score for men was slightly higher, but this difference was also statistically insignificant (p = .013). This means that gender or employment status in general does not have a profound effect on self-esteem. However, when the responses to individual questions were analyzed in detail, an interesting aspect emerged: unemployed men complained of feeling “useless” more intensely than women on one specific question (item 9). This suggests that, although there may be no difference in overall scores, certain emotional responses, especially negative feelings such as feeling useless, may be more intense in men. Such responses are likely linked to social pressures, cultural traditions, and the responsibilities associated with employment, which affect men more. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the fact that self-esteem is not a simple or one-dimensional concept but a complex and multifaceted psychological state, influenced not only by gender or job status but also by a number of deeper psychological, social, personal and cultural factors. Therefore, in the context of South Asian societies like Hyderabad, there is a need for culturally sensitive and gender-aware mental health interventions that can help improve individuals’ self-esteem by taking into account these hidden and deeper factors.