The Self-perception of Sugar Relationship and Self-esteem among Young Adults: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Sugar relationship is a controversial issue in Asia countries. The sugar relationship trend has increasingly evident in Malaysia which made the community frowned upon this intergenerational relationship. As engaging in sugar relationship can affect self-esteem among sugar babies. Therefore, this research aims to explore the self-perception of sugar relationship and self-esteem among young adults who are in the relationship. To achieve the objectives of this study, a qualitative study with phenomenological approach was used. In total 10 young adults aged between 20 to 25 years old were selected and interviewed by utilizing semistructured interview protocol. The collected data was analysed using thematic analysis to generate core themes. The current study discovered that young adults' perceptions of sugar relationships are shaped by four themes: conceptualization, factors that contribute to being a sugar baby, potential risks, and ideation to quit sugar relationships. These impressions ultimately impacted the sugar babies' self-esteem based on their self-awareness, associated sentiments, and personal experience. Sugar babies were compelled and perceived sugar relationship as unique. They also had awareness of potential risks and future plan for them resulting in having healthy self-esteem. Additionally, this study is expected to provide substantive knowledge and solutions to assist researchers, government officials, and sugar babies in dealing with social ethics and law enactment. This study would like to suggest that this topic can be conducted at different regions in Malaysia or other research methods to fill in the research gap.