Self-esteem predicts academic success in students.

Is it true that self-esteem predicts academic success in students?

Partly. Evidence is mixed and only partial: one study of special-needs students in Iraq found self-esteem predicted academic achievement, while a Nigerian special-needs study found no significant relationship and an online-education study found only consistency of interests predicted success. Other items link self-esteem to academic engagement or leave the causal question open.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 3 against · Last checked 18 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

How social support predicts academic achievement among secondary students with special needs: the mediating role of self-esteem. (2023). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-023-00316-2

Self-esteem. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-esteem

Frontiers | Self-Esteem and Academic Engagement Among Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model. (n.d.). frontiersin.org. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.690828/full

Neroni, J., Meijs, C., Kirschner, P. A., Xu, K. M., & Groot, R. H. M. d. (2022). Academic self-efficacy, self-esteem, and grit in higher online education: Consistency of interests predicts academic success. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-022-09696-5

Famolu, F. (2025). Exploring the Correlation Between Self-Esteem and Academic Success Among Special Needs Students in Kwara State, Nigeria. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.17977/um001v10i12025p55-68