Moderating Effect of Self Esteem on the Relationship Between Optimism and Life Satisfaction in Final Year University Students
This study examined the moderating effect of self esteem on the relationship between optimism and life satisfaction in final year university students. A correlational survey design was utilized. Two hundred and twenty three university final year students of a Nigerian university consisting of 124 males and 99 females aged 24.67+ 2.56 participated in the study. Data were collected with a structured self report questionnaire containing satisfaction with life scale (a .82) Rosenberg self esteem scale (a .86) and life orientation test revised (a .79) Data were analyzed with SPSS v.23 at 0.05 significant level. Self esteem significantly moderated the relationship between optimism and life satisfaction as indicated by a significant increase in proportion of the variance in life satisfaction when the interaction term between optimism and self esteem was added to the regression model [DR2 .03, DF (1, 219) 7.26, p .008, b .188, t(220) 2.69, p .01] It was concluded that the predictive impact of optimism on life satisfaction of university final year students is enhanced by their self esteem; thus, students should be exposed to environment and program that promotes the development of high self esteem and optimistic life orientation to enhance their well being.