Positive social support improves self-esteem among married women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Recent literature has highlighted the role of social support in improving self-esteem. This study aimed to measure self-esteem and its association with social support among married women aged 30-75 years, in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2015-2016, on 1883 married Saudi women visiting the primary health care centers. Female data collectors conducted questionnaire-based interview and took anthropometric measurements. Self-esteem and social support were measured by utilizing the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and social support survey scale, respectively. The majority of women reported moderate to high levels of self-esteem. Multivariate linear regression analysis found that one unit increase in availability of emotional support, education, and physical activity were significantly associated with 0.18 (0.22, 0.39, p < .001), 0.17 (0.26, 0.48, p < .001) and 0.09 (0.39, 1.13) increase in self-esteem scores, respectively. Similarly, a unit increase in tangible support, education and physical activity were significantly associated with 0.20 (0.27, 0.44, p < .001), 0.17 (0.26, 0.47, p < .001), and 0.07 (0.17, 0.89) unit increase in self-esteem scores, respectively. The results highlight the importance of emotional and tangible support associated with high self-esteem. We recommend that social support groups should be created for providing counseling and support to the socially isolated women with low self-esteem.