Interpersonal Conflicts and Development of Self-Esteem from Adolescence to Mid-Adulthood. A 26-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

This study investigated the association between interpersonal conflicts and the trajectory of self-esteem from adolescence to mid-adulthood. The directionality of effects between self-esteem and interpersonal conflicts was also studied. Participants of a Finnish cohort study in 1983 at age 16 (N = 2194) were followed up at ages 22 (N = 1656), 32 (N = 1471) and 42 (N = 1334) using postal questionnaires. Measures covered self-esteem and interpersonal conflicts including, conflicts with parents, friends, colleagues, superiors, partners, break-ups with girl/boyfriends, and divorces. Participants were grouped using latent profile analysis to those having “consistently low”, “decreasing”, or “increasing” number of interpersonal conflicts from adolescence to adulthood. Analyses were done using latent growth curve models and autoregressive cross-lagged models. Among both females and males the self-esteem growth trajectory was most favorable in the group with a consistently low number of interpersonal conflicts. Compared to the low group, the group with a decreasing number of interpersonal conflicts had a self-esteem trajectory that started and remained at a lower level throughout the study period. The group with an increasing number of interpersonal conflicts had a significantly slower self-esteem growth rate compared to the other groups, and also the lowest self-esteem level at the end of the study period. Cross-lagged autoregressive models indicated small, but significant lagged effects from low self-esteem to later interpersonal conflicts, although only among males. There were no effects to the opposite direction among either gender. Our results show that those reporting more and an increasing number of interpersonal conflicts have a lower and more slowly developing self-esteem trajectory from adolescence to mid-adulthood. While the result was expected, it does not seem to imply an effect from interpersonal conflicts to low self-esteem. Rather, if anything, our results seem to suggest that those with low self-esteem are more prone to later interpersonal conflicts.

Effectiveness of Compassion-focused Therapy on Self-esteem, Empathy, and Forgiveness in Child Labor

“…The results showed that this intervention increases the self-esteem in these girls. The findings of this study on self-esteem increase coincide with some previous research (5,6,7,8,9). In this regard, the individuals who grow up in traumatic environments, generally have difficulty in being gentle and kind to themselves or others and thus interpret the behavior of others negatively, however; the use of selfcompassion exercises calms the mind, reduces stress and increases self-esteem in children (26).…”

“…Children with low level of self-esteem have poorer mental health (e.g. high anxiety and drug abuse) and may suffer from a sense of emptiness and isolation (5,6,7,8). In contrast, high self-esteem protects the person from negative experiences such as social exclusion ( 9 .)…”

“…The cognitive dimension is related to understanding the feelings of another, while the affective dimension involves sharing the emotional reactions of another one (11). Great deal of research has examined interventions that attempt to increase self-esteem, empathy and forgiveness (5,6,11,13). Self-compassion is one of the interventions helping people to feel safe and to connect with their negative aspects without being engaged in exaggerated self-criticism (21,26).…”

The effects of an interpersonal relationship improvement program on self-esteem, interpersonal orientation, and ego-resilience on Korean adolescents

“…An interpersonal relationship can significantly influence the psychological health of adolescents. When a satisfactory interpersonal relationship is formed, self-identity is established, a healthy personality develops, and the levels of selffulfillment and happiness increase [3]. However, if the interpersonal relationship needs are not met, youths can experience psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and behavioral problems, such as school maladjustment, antisocial behaviors, aggressive behaviors, social phobia, and delinquency [4].…”

Age of sexual initiation and depression in adolescents: Data from the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort

“…The risk is higher in females ( Hallfors et al, 2005 , Jamieson and Wade, 2011 , Meier, 2007 , Sabia, 2006 , Savioja et al, 2015 , Spriggs and Halpern, 2008 ), as they are usually more influenced by sociocultural norms concerning sexual behavior, and having sex is frequently considered ‘inappropriate’ for girls but not for boys ( Borges and Schor, 2005 , Sanchez et al, 2012 ). In addition, mental changes can be influenced by low self-esteem, which is also more common among females ( Kiviruusu et al, 2016 )…”