The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prisoners' self-esteem on the relationship between
loneliness, social support and empathic ability. Date were collected through the questionnaire from 269
prisons inmates in J city, The major finding were as follows: First, regarding the impact of self-esteem on
loneliness, positive self-esteem and negative self-esteem appeared to affect intimately marginal persons,
socially marginal persons, a sense of belonging that were sub-factors of loneliness. Second, about the
influence of self-esteem on social support, positive self-esteem and negative self-esteem appeared to affect
material support, evaluative support, the support for a sens of belonging which were sub-factors of social
support. Third, concerning the impact of self-esteem on empathic ability, positive self-esteem affected
empathic interest and personal pain that were sub-factors of empathic ability, negative self-esteem had an
effect on perspective taking and empathic interest which were sub-factors of empathic ability. Fourth, as to
the influence of social support on loneliness, material support, evaluative support and self-esteem support
which were sub-factors of social support appeared to affect intimately marginal persons, socially marginal
persons and a sense of belonging that were sub-factors of loneliness. Fifth, when it comes to the effect of
empathic ability on loneliness, perspective taking and personal pain which were sub-factors of empathic
ability appeared to affect intimately marginal persons, socially marginal persons, a sense of belonging that
were sub-factors of loneliness. Finally, Implications, limitations of this study and suggestions for the future
study are discussed.