Introduction: Self-esteem, as a fundamental component of personality, plays a vital role in the psychological development and academic success of students. Moreover, managerial skills can influence the level of self-esteem by enhancing self-efficacy and the sense of control over one’s circumstances. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between managerial skills and self-esteem among associate degree students.
Method: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on the entire population of associate degree students at Teacher Training Centers in Kermanshah during the 2009–2010 academic year, totaling 650 individuals. A sample of 242 students was selected through simple random sampling based on Krejcie and Morgan’s table. Data were collected using Whetten’s Managerial Skills Questionnaire (2000) and Coopersmith’s Self-Esteem Inventory (1967). Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression techniques.
Results: A significant positive correlation was found between managerial skills and students’ self-esteem (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). Among the components, self-awareness and stress management exhibited the strongest predictive power, collectively explaining 31% of the variance in self-esteem.
Conclusion: Enhancing managerial skills, particularly in the domains of self-awareness and stress management, can play an effective role in increasing students’ self-esteem and should be prioritized in educational programs.