Self-Respect

Self-esteem is a psychological concept that refers to an individual’s evaluations of themselves, the extent to which they value themselves, and how much they like their self-concept. More technically, it is described as the individual’s assessment of the discrepancy between their current self-image (the real self) and their ideal self (the person they wish to be). The greater the overlap between these two self-perceptions, the higher the individual’s self-esteem. Self-esteem is a learned process that continues throughout life.

In the literature, self-esteem has been conceptualized in various ways. Rosenberg defined self-esteem as an individual’s positive or negative attitudes toward themselves, while Coopersmith viewed it as the degree to which a person perceives themselves as capable, significant, successful, and valuable. A more recent approach examines self-esteem as a two-dimensional structure:

• Self-Liking: This relates to the individual’s perception, acceptance, and subjective valuation of themselves as a social being. This dimension concerns “who one is.”

• Self-Competence: This is the feeling of being capable, effective, and in control when it comes to achieving goals and obtaining desired outcomes. This dimension is linked to “what one can do.”

Together, these two dimensions form the individual’s overall self-esteem.

Development

The foundations of self-esteem are laid during early childhood, during which parental attitudes play a decisive role. Loving guidance from parents helps children develop their capacities. Attitudes such as accepting the child as they are, valuing them, involving them in decision-making, and demonstrating empathy positively influence the development of self-esteem.

During the preschool period (ages 5–6), academic self-esteem begins to emerge. At this stage, teachers’ attitudes become as important as those of parents. Adolescence is the most critical period for self-development. During this stage, self-esteem is largely determined by body image. As adolescents strive to form their identity, peer groups become a vital social environment that provides a sense of belonging, approval, and acceptance, second only to the family.

Characteristics of Low and High Self-Esteem

Self-esteem, at the center of psychological functioning, is a key factor in mental health, motivation of behavior, and personality integration.

High Self-Esteem

Individuals with high self-esteem are satisfied with themselves and focus on their strengths and abilities. They exhibit positive traits such as self-confidence, optimism, a desire to succeed, and resilience in the face of challenges. These individuals tend to be more successful in social relationships, more willing to speak up in groups, more proactive, and demonstrate stronger coping skills.

Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem arises as a result of experiences that diminish one’s sense of self-worth. Individuals in this state often exhibit high levels of anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and depression. They tend to have weak self-confidence, be dependent on others, be shy, less creative, and more prone to authoritarian behavior. Moreover, low self-esteem can negatively affect an individual’s ability to perceive their situation realistically and to take action for change. This condition has been associated with internal problems such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety, as well as external problems such as academic underachievement and substance use.

Factors Related to Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is influenced by various psychological, social, and physical factors.

Psychological Factors

• Subjective Well-Being (Happiness): Research has demonstrated a significant positive relationship between self-esteem and subjective well-being, showing that self-esteem is a strong predictor of happiness.

• Loneliness: There is a negative relationship between self-esteem and loneliness. Individuals with low self-esteem have been found to feel more lonely.

• Psychological Resilience: A positive relationship exists between self-esteem and psychological resilience. Individuals who are psychologically resilient have been found to possess higher levels of self-esteem.

Social and Environmental Factors

• Family Environment: The family is a primary factor influencing self-esteem. A supportive family environment contributes to the development of individuals with high self-esteem.

• Gender: This relationship must be examined within the context of gender roles. Violence against women is a factor that negatively affects self-esteem. However, some studies conducted on university students have found no significant difference in self-esteem levels between genders.

• Socioeconomic Status: Studies have yielded mixed results regarding the relationship between socioeconomic status and self-esteem. Some research indicates that self-esteem increases with higher socioeconomic status, while others have found no significant difference.

Physical Factors

• Body Image: Especially during adolescence, body image is a significant factor influencing self-esteem. Dissatisfaction with body weight or height has been linked to low self-esteem.

• Chronic Illness and Disability: Having a chronic illness can reduce self-esteem. Evidence suggests that conditions such as mastectomy (removal of the breast) or permanent ostomy negatively affect self-esteem. However, some studies have found no difference in self-esteem between individuals with and without orthopedic disabilities, a finding that may be explained by protective mechanisms such as comparing oneself with others among disabled individuals.