The Role of Low Self-Esteem in Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Why is Low Self-Esteem Dysfunctional?

Abstract

Low self-esteem has been linked to a number of emotional and behavioral problems. This article examines the relationship between low self-esteem and a variety of psychological difficulties from the standpoint of the sociometer model of self-esteem. According to this model, the behavioral concomitants of low self-esteem are best viewed as reactions to real, anticipated, or imagined rejection rather than as consequences of low self-esteem per se. Evidence relevant to this hypothesis is reviewed as it relates to dysphoric emotions, substance abuse, irresponsible sexual behavior, aggression, membership in deviant groups, and eating disorders. Implications of this approach for treating certain psychological problems are also discussed.Low self-esteem ranks among the strongest predictors of emotional and behavioral problems. Compared to people with high self-esteem, people with low self-esteem tend to be more anxious, depressed, lonely, jealous, shy, and generally unhappy. They are also less assertive, less likely to enjoy close friendships, and more likely to drop out of school. Further more, they are more inclined to behave in ways that pose a danger to themselves or others: low self-esteem is associated with unsafe sex, teenage pregnancy, aggression, criminal behavior, the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and membership in deviant groups (for reviews, see

The Self in Psychopathology

“…self as the total person, self as personality, self as experiencing subject, self as beliefs about oneself, self as executive agent) [1]. Two facets of the experiential self have been highlighted in major tomes by Gallagher [2] and Gallagher and Zahavi [3]: (a) the minimal, basic or core self, comprising implicit awareness of one's first-person experience or consciousness (‘ipseity'), and (b) the social or narrative self which includes dimensions such as social identity, self-concept, self-image and self-esteem.…”

The Perfect Storm: Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents in the 21 Century Implication for Treatment in Residential Settings

“…Self-esteem is highly correlated with all the physical (Antonucci & Jackson, 1983), emotional (Judge & Bono, 2001), and behavioral (Leary, et al 1995) variables associated with depression. Individuals with high self-esteem or self-identity are healthier both mentally and physically (Achenback, et al 1987).…”

Relationships between paranoid thinking, self-esteem and the menstrual cycle

“…As both anxiety and depression are related to selfesteem (e.g. Leary et al 1995;Orth et al 2008) it seems intuitive that this would also be when self-esteem is lowest. Increased levels of paranoia are associated with increased anxiety (Freeman 2007).…”