KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS) 2981-2526 In Press 2027 07 01 Effectiveness of a Competence- and Worthiness-Based Educational Program for Self-Esteem, Assertiveness, and Psychological Well-Being in Male Adolescents with Low Self-Esteem Effectiveness of a Competence- and Worthiness-Based Educational Program for Self-Esteem, Assertiveness, and Psychological Well-Being in Male Adolescents with Low Self-Esteem 1 14 EN Journal Article 2026 07 16 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a competence- and worthiness-based educational program in improving self-esteem, assertiveness, and psychological well-being among male adolescents with low self-esteem.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials:</strong> This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of male upper-secondary school students in Qazvin, Iran. Thirty adolescents who obtained scores below 25 on the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and met the eligibility criteria were selected and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The intervention group participated in six weekly 90-minute sessions based on the competence and worthiness framework, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, the Adolescent Assertiveness Scale, and the 18-item Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scales at pretest, posttest, and four-week follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons.</p> <p><strong>Findings:</strong> Significant time-by-group interaction effects were observed for self-esteem, Wilks’ Lambda = .137, F(2, 27) = 85.26, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .863; assertiveness, Wilks’ Lambda = .089, F(2, 27) = 137.93, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .911; and psychological well-being, Wilks’ Lambda = .051, F(2, 27) = 249.03, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .949. Bonferroni comparisons indicated significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up for all three outcomes, whereas differences between posttest and follow-up were not statistically significant, indicating maintenance of treatment effects.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The competence- and worthiness-based educational program was effective in enhancing self-esteem, assertiveness, and psychological well-being in male adolescents with low self-esteem, and the observed improvements remained stable at follow-up. The program may therefore provide a useful framework for school-based psychological and educational interventions targeting adolescents with diminished self-worth.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> https://www.journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jayps/article/download/6512/12131