Nursing Care Plan for Situational Low Self – Esteem

ASSESSMENT DIAGNOSIS PLANNING INTERVENTION RATIONALE

1. Subjective Data:   Act as a role model for  Patients may want an
 Situational Low Self-  Client will report
Clients say: the patient or significant example of positive
“I don’t believe a person who Esteem r/t complex progress in current others in healthy measures to display
compliments me. expression of feelings or feelings. Self-awareness
factors (Bullying, situation.
I avoid activities that involve concerns. Assume enables the nurse to
 Client will verbalize
other people, like sports or rejections, Peer pressure) responsibility for own show authentic behavior.
positive self-
social events; because I am thoughts and actions by
AEB Lacks of self- acceptance.
afraid to negatively judged.” using “I think” language
 Client will develop
2. Objective Data: confidence, poor in conversations.
realistic plans for
 Confused when
communication, adapting to role
speaking  Spend time with the  Having enough time for
changes and new
 Lack of eye contact unmotivated, shy, client; set aside enough the patient conveys the
role.
 Rejects positive time so that the nurse’s interest in and
unfriendly and confusion
feedback about self encounter is calm and acceptance of the
about self. deliberate. patient’s feelings. A
trusting relationship is an
 Risk for Social Isolation important factor in
building self-esteem.

 Provide privacy.  Private discussions need

to take place in a setting
where the patient is free
to express feelings
without being overheard.
 Apply active listening  These communication
and open-ended methods permit the
questions. patient to verbalize
interests, concerns,
worries, and thoughts
without interruption.
This technique will
convey a sense of respect
for the patient’s abilities
and strengths in addition
to recognizing problems
and concerns.
 Consider the “normal”  Disturbances in self-
impact of change on esteem are natural
self-esteem. Reassure responses to important
the patient that such changes. Reconstitution
modifications often of the patient’s self-
occur in a variety of esteem occurs as part of
emotional or behavioral the patient’s adjustment
responses. to change.

 Support the patient in  The patient needs

his or her attempts to continuous positive
secure autonomy, feedback and support to
reality, positive self- manage behaviors to
esteem, sense of promote self-esteem.
capability, and problem- The patient will benefit
solving. from feedback that
provides a realistic
appraisal of his or her
development and
strengthens the effective
change made by the
patient.
 Give anticipatory  The patient requires a
direction to reduce view that places the
anxiety and fear if change in self-esteem
interference in self- within the context of the
esteem is an expected normal recuperative
part of the process of process.
adjustment to changes
in health status.
 Educate the patient to  The patient needs to
join in activities explore options to
anticipated to result in improve self-esteem by
healthy self-esteem. substituting negative
behaviors with positive
actions.
 Present referral  Professional and
information about community sources of
community resources, support provide the
self-help groups, and patient with more
professional counseling. resources to sustain the
work of rebuilding
positive self-esteem.
 Educate the patient  Recognition of
about the harmful unfavorable thoughts can
effects of negative self- lift the patient to develop
talk. new techniques for
coping. The patient must
replace negative beliefs
and ideas with positive
thoughts about self.
 Nursing Assessment for Situational Low Self-Esteem

Assessment Rationale

Invite the patient to record past This approach is beneficial in presenting the patient with a more realistic
and current achievements: view of his or her capabilities. Patients undergoing situational stress often
emotional, social, interpersonal, lose sight of their past accomplishments in handling related circumstances.
intellectual, vocational, and
physical.

Welcome statements the patient The feeling of being unloved, unworthy, and incompetent is often
reveals about himself or herself. expressed by patients with low self-esteem. The patient often presents
himself or herself unable to manage the current situation.

Encourage the patient to express The patient may be knowledgeable of up-to-date situations that negatively
if he or she is able to associate change his or her self-concept.
these changes to a specific event
in his or her life.

Evaluate the degree to which the Patients may be taken in a vicious cycle of behaviors intended to cover the
patient believes he or she is “in primary self-esteem dilemma. The acting-out fosters a sense of
control” of his or her own unworthiness and undermines efforts to esteem-building.
behavior.

Assess the patient’s feelings of Patients with self-esteem issues may appear as though their actions are not
comfort and content with his or in keeping with their own personal, moral, or ethical values; they may also
her own performance. deny these behaviors, project blame, and rationalize personal failure.

Assess for presence of unfinished Ongoing grief may hinder the patient’s ability to move forward in life.
grief.

Evaluate recent variations in the Patients may be able to compensate for low-esteem through exceptional
patient’s behavior. performance in work or areas of special interest while still having dilemmas
with how he or she envisions self. Some patients may withdraw from
engagement in work or family situations in an attempt to lessen the impact
of the situation of self-esteem. Low self-esteem will not be fixed without
weighing these issues into the care plan.

Evaluate the extent to which the Lack of recognition of achievements or rejection by others may contribute
patient feels loved and respected to feelings of unworthiness. Care and support by others will be essential in
by others. developing the patient’s self-esteem.

Assess how competent patients The patient may have developed the ability to carry out personal
feel about their ability to perform responsibilities despite low self-esteem. This may be a positive indicator of
and carry out their own and the patient’s potential for successful improvement of self-esteem.
others’ expectations.