Students in Higher Education are currently in focus for mental health concerns. Therefore a climate for learning that nurtures growth and enhances wellbeing should be a primary objective for all professionals implicated in educational delivery. According to the DSM 5*, feelings of worthlessness may predispose individuals to develop mental health problems. The converse of worthless feelings is self- esteem (i.e. valuing ourselves) which therefore provides protective qualities. However, the focal point for self-esteem may vary at different development stages and for HE students, the student experience may be salient. Academics, professional services and student peers may have a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting students’ self-esteem. It is therefore important to understand the processes at work in the design and delivery of academic programmes.

In this session we will present the most popular and robust measure of self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965), and use a few of the key concepts/items to illustrate potential tipping points and turning points in the dynamics of self-esteem. Educational reference points include communication in learning sessions, facilitating constructive peer interaction in learning sessions, feedback, emails, responding to questions, managing anxieties, inclusion of students in learning sessions, casual interactions in off guard moments etc. However, although the adaptive role of self-esteem is advocated, it is not presented as a panacea. Two former LJMU undergraduates (one researching self-esteem with prisoners and one delivering a local IAPTs programme) will share their unique insights around self-esteem.
 

*Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5. American Psychological Society (2013).
 

Hosted by the Teaching and Learning Academy, this seminar will be delivered by:

David McIlroy, Reader, School of Psychology and National Teaching Fellow

Samantha Sillitoe, PhD Student, School of Psychology

Jasmin Nash, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Talk Liverpool

This event will be held in person on-campus in Rm G09 Tithebarn Building.      

Email: TLAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk

Please click on the 'Begin Registration' button below to register for this event.  When registering please provide your full LJMU email address (not USERNAME@ljmu.ac.uk).