Feb 25, 2003/ FW/ --- While low self-esteem among teens has been the focus of research over the past few years, a recent survey, conducted by Secret Anti-perspirant for the Secret to Self-Esteem program, finds teens, especially the younger ones, are finally getting an important message: who you are isn't defined by what others think or expect of you.

BA MVP Lisa Leslie, left, greets students at Ridgeview Middle School during the first Secret to Self-Esteem Teen Esteem Tour stop Friday, Feb. 21, 2003 in Atlanta
(Photo by PRNewsFoto)

This survey, which polled 1,000 teenagers 12-17, found that 74 percent of respondents feel their self-esteem is directly linked to following their moral principles, while only 37 percent feel it depends on the opinions others hold of them.

This positive shift is also apparent in the area of love, or more specifically relationships -- certainly high on the country's agenda for helping teens. But while these results can be viewed as an indicator of good changes on the horizon, we still have a way to go.

According to the survey, confidence, accountability and responsible dating among teens is on the rise.

Findings revealed by the Secret to Self-Esteem survey says that 58% of the girls are comfortable asking boys out, but say a date is as far as it goes.

Across age groups, 70 percent of girls and 54 percent of boys are more likely to abstain from sex today, than teens two years ago would have been.

Interestingly, there are distinct differences between age groups. Among teens in the 12-14 year age group, intellectual ability is more important, while self-esteem in teens ages 15-17 is, sadly, fueled by physical appearance.

Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D., Director of the Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute and leading expert on adolescent issues said, "The findings of this survey, conducted as part of the Secret to Self-Esteem program, reinforce an important point -- it is imperative that we reach teens with a positive self-esteem message at a young age, when self-confidence is at its highest. By reaching out to teens during middle school years, the Secret to Self-Esteem program is able to reinforce the positive, so that high self-esteem can be sustained into the later teen years, when it typically tends to decline."

While the survey found that both boys and girls find weight and physical appearance to be of importance, teens between the ages of 12-14 were far less concerned than teens between the ages of 15-17.

Key findings revealed by the survey:

• Thirty-eight percent of girls and 28 percent of boys between the ages of 12-14 said their self-esteem is influenced by their body image or weight.
• Teens between the ages of 15-17 showed a marked increase versus their younger peers when asked the same question (48 percent of girls and 49 percent of boys)
• Thirty-six percent of teens 12-14 are influenced by how attractive they find their face or facial features versus 47 percent of teens between the ages of 15-17
• Sixty-six percent of teens between the ages of 12-14 said that their opinion of themselves is tied to how well they do in school versus 58 percent of teens between the ages of 15-17

Now in its fifth year, the Secret to Self-Esteem program continues to provide middle school-aged girls with tools to build a healthy self-esteem through physical, mental and emotional strength.

The program also offers counsel to mothers and mentors on how to nurture self-esteem in teen girls. This year, the survey findings will be one of the topics during a two-city Secret to Self-Esteem Tour in February featuring Dr. Kearney-Cooke and WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie, who will share their personal experiences about maintaining a healthy self-esteem with middle school girls in Atlanta and Seattle.