Relationship Between Communication Barrier and Self-Esteem Among the University Students of Gilgit-Baltistan

This study examines the relationship between communication barriers and self-esteem with sample size N=350, comprising of almost equally distributed male and female university students belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan, aged 17–38, using purposive and snowball sampling. Demographics included in the study are age, gender, degree program, current semester, birth place and languages spoken. Participants represented diverse linguistic, regional, and educational backgrounds. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the PRCA-24, including a communication barrier subscale. While most scales showed high reliability (α = .81–.94), the RSES had a lower alpha (.58). Results revealed a significant negative correlation between communication barriers and self-esteem. Gender also emerged as a key factor, with female students reporting higher communication barriers and lower self-esteem. The findings highlight the psychological impact of communication challenges within the Pakistani context.