SELF ESTEEM

Definition:

In psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In
other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself.

 Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring.
 Self-esteem can involve a variety of beliefs about yourself, such as the appraisal of your own appearance,
beliefs, emotions, and behaviors.

High Self Esteem

Character Traits of people with high self-esteem:
1. Like to meet new people
2. Do not worry about being judged
3. Are assertive
4. Live enriched lives
5. You feel nice to be them
6. Their ideas are met with interest
7. They attract positive opportunities
8. Have an “I CAN” attitude

Traits synonymous to OR Correlates of High Self Esteem: people with high Self-esteem:
1. Make good personal adjustment
2. Have good knowledge of self
3. Set appropriate goals
4. Manage stress and cope with criticism
5. Enhance the view of themselves
6. Look for opportunities to excel
7. Focusing on their strengths

Defensive self esteem

1. Extreme sensitivity to criticism
2. Bragging
3. Criticizing others
4. Work -holism
5. Inappropriate Aggression

Low self esteem

People with low self-esteem:
1. Don’t believe in themselves
2. See themselves failing before they even begin
3. Have a hard time forgiving their mistakes
4. Believe they can never be as good as they should be or as good as others
5. Are afraid to show their creativity because of the fear of being ridiculed
6. Are dissatisfied with their lives
7. Spend most of their time alone
8. Complain and criticize
9. Worry about everything and do nothing
10. Have an “I CAN’T DO IT” attitude

Correlates of Low Self Esteem:

1. Poor psychological adjustment, mental health
 2. Problems making and maintaining relationship
3. Poor stress management, poor immune system
4. Feeling bad about one self
5. Viral epidemic
6. Raising self esteem is a social vaccine

Common Signs of Low Self-esteem

1. Exaggerated bragging
2. Resorting to numerous attention-getting behaviors such as clowning, acting overly silly, teasing,
complaining, exhibiting both verbal and physical agression
3. Very reactive to ups and downs of daily life – failure can be devastating, even on minor issues
4. Being self-critical and always apologizing
5. Easily influenced by peers
6. Blaming
7. Reluctance to learn new things or avoiding a challenge
8. Over-reacting to things and situations
9. Being unable to make choices or solve problems
10. Putting themselves down

Correlation of low self-esteem in studies: following are the acts of persons with low self-esteem:
1. Poor academic achievement
2. Bullying,
3. Aggression
4. Attracting gangs and drug abuse
5. Smoking, delinquency, depression
6. Suicide, shyness and loneliness

Five feelings that nurture self-esteem:

1. A sense of Security: a feeling of trust or safety.

2. A sense of Self-hood: knowing who you really are.
3. A sense of Affiliation: a sense of belonging.
4. A sense of Mission: a feeling of purpose, direction and responsibility.
5. A sense of Competence: feeling like you are capable and successful in the things you do.

Steps to improving Self-esteem

1. Forgive yourself for past mistakes.

2. Focus on your positive attributes.
3. Follow the example of successful people.
4. Become a self-talker.
5. Exhibit a good attitude.
6. Get plenty of rest.
7. Make your work/study skills your own.
8. Practice your talents.
9. Become physically fit.
10. Learn new things.
11. Improve your personal relationships.
12. Dress well!!!!

How to improve self esteem

1. Skills training- social skills, assertiveness, academic skills, problem, solving

2. Environmental change- occupation retraining and placement
3. Cognitive therapy to challenge
a. Cognitive bias to filter out the positive with negative self evaluation
 b. challenging unrealistic high standard
c. Accept positive affirming feedback
4. Capitalize transitional points- change jobs, relocating, developmental life cycle transition

Ways to increase self-esteem:

1. Take control of your own life

2. Adopt the idea; you are responsible for your own self
3. Refuse to allow friends and family to tear you down
4. Control what you say to yourself
5. Take carefully assed risks often
6. Don’t compare yourself to others
7. Develop an accomplishment wall or file
8. Keep your promises and be loyal to friends, family and yourself
9. Win with grace loose with dignity
10. Set goals and maintain high levels of motivation