Adolescent Self-Esteem and Future Outlook: The Consequences of Experiencing Hate Speech

This study explores the impact of hate speech experienced and observed during adolescence on self-esteem and future outlook, in both school and online environments. It involved high school students aged 13 to 19 who participated in two online sessions, completing anonymous questionnaires assessing their experiences with hate speech, self-esteem, and future outlook. Participants reported their exposure to hate speech and completed validated scales, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Adolescent Time Inventory and Visions About Future Scale. The results reveal that adolescents exposed to hate speech, whether as witnesses or victims, report significantly lower levels of self-esteem and a more pessimistic view of their personal, professional, and academic futures. Direct victims experienced the most severe negative effects, with boys showing greater impact than girls. This study is the first in Italy to examine the effects of hate speech on self-esteem and future outlook across various contexts, highlighting its profound psychological consequences for adolescents. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and comprehensive strategies in both educational and online settings. Future research should explore additional variables, such as the impact of hate speech on academic performance and antisocial behavior, and examine the role that support networks might have in mitigating these effects. Expanding research in these areas can provide a more comprehensive understanding of this field and contribute to developing effective strategies to reduce the psychological consequences caused by hate speech in school populations.