Identifying the self-esteem and psychological states of those adolescents from child-care institutes who are neglected and abused and who are not

This is a comparative study comparing the self-esteem and the psychological states of the adolescents who accommodate in child-care institutes. 208 volunteer adolescents from the government institute ?Sosyal Hizmetler ve Çocuk Esirgeme Kurumu (Society for the Protection of Children)?, Ankara participated in the study. 68 of these adolescents who were placed in the Society due to the abuse and neglect of their families formed the experimental group; 140 adolescents who were placed in the Society due to other reasons such as socio-economic conditions, being abandoned by their parents, dissolution of family, etc. formed the control group. The data collected through personal ID forms, Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and Milyve Short Symptom Inventory. For data analysis the statistical techniques, frequency, percentage, chi square test, and correlation tests were used.The results revealed that the self-esteem average points for both groups were 54 and there was no significant difference (p>0,05) between the experimental and control groups with respect to self-esteem. When the psychological states of both groups were compared it was found that the bottom (lower) inventory points were almost similar and there was no significant difference (p>0,05) between the two. Both groups were identified as groups at risk with respect to the hostility and depression symptoms. When the correlation between self-esteem and psychological states of the adolescents was investigated it was found that those who had low self-esteem also had higher psychological symptom bottom (lower) inventory points. Implications of the study were also stated.