Self-esteem
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Self-esteem
Self-esteem is the core belief you have about yourself. Healthy self-esteem helps you to act responsibly, cooperate well with others, deal with difficulties, and have the confidence to try new things. The foundation of self-esteem is established in childhood, although it is a lifelong process of development.
Parents are the most significant influences on a child's self-esteem. Parents promote a child's healthy self-esteem by initiating a cycle of belonging, learning, and contributing. A sense of belonging helps a child to participate in learning new things; learning makes a child feel confident in making contributions; making contributions helps secure a feeling of belonging.
An unhealthy self-esteem causes problems throughout life. Mental health problems, difficulties with other people, and lack of confidence are some of the possible consequences of low self-esteem.
Credits
| Author | Sabra L. Katz-Wise |
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | January 3, 2007 |
| Last updated: | January 03, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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