People with High Self-Esteem

Introduction

Self-esteem, defined as an individual’s subjective assessment of their value, is central to the study of personality (Tang & Baker, 2016). The development and achievement of individuals are of utmost importance, as they significantly influence the self-perception and worldview. The relevance of self-esteem and its far-reaching effects on people’s lives are explored in this study report. Psychologists have been interested in and curious about self-esteem for quite some time. An individual’s sense of self-worth is a dynamic construct that includes a sense of competence, acceptance, and respect for oneself. William James and Charles Cooley, pioneers in the study of self-perception, might be considered the forefathers of the modern field of self-esteem studies (Miller & Cho, 2018). Since then, psychologists have dived further into the network connecting one’s sense of self-worth with their character traits and actions (Burger & Reevy, 2022).

Three essential aspects of high self-esteem will be examined in this report. First of all, people with high self-esteem keep a positive outlook on themselves, focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses and developing perseverance in the face of adversity. The second thing to look at is how they respond to criticism. They view criticism as a chance for self-reflection and progress, boosting strengths and constructively resolving problems, unlike people with lower self-esteem. Finally, this report will examine how having a high sense of self benefits social interactions and interpersonal connections. Their sincerity, bravery, and empathy characterize their interactions with people.

High Self-Esteem and Positive Self-Focus

One distinguishing trait of those who rate themselves highly is their resilience in adversity and criticism. According to research by Dellen et al. (2011), people with high self-esteem learn to mitigate the emotional fallout of criticism in their ways. After experiencing setbacks, they are more likely to highlight their positive traits than to concentrate on their errors.

Different people’s reactions to criticism depend on their existing levels of self-confidence. Such criticism may be devastating to people already struggling with low self-esteem, causing them to sink further into despair and lose faith in themselves. People who are confident in themselves, on the other hand, see criticism as a chance to learn and better themselves. They have learned that negative comments about their performance do not affect who they are or what they can accomplish. Instead, they see it as a chance to learn more about what works and what does not and use that knowledge to improve both. A strong sense of self-worth is characterized by this resilience in the face of adversity (BYRNE & O’BRIEN, 2014).

A study by Orth & Robins (2022) offered a different take on self-esteem by drawing a line between healthy esteem and narcissism. In contrast to those with narcissistic self-esteem, those with genuine high self-esteem have a positive self-concept that is resilient through time and grounded in reality. Genuinely strong self-esteem enables people to accept their flaws and keep their feet firmly planted on the ground. Because of their reliability and honesty, they can concentrate on their strengths and keep their confidence high.

Negative Feedback and Self-Reflection

People who have a healthy dose of optimism about themselves also tend to view criticism as a chance to learn and improve. The findings of a study by Noguri et al. (2022) provide insight into how people with high self-esteem process criticism, particularly in professional contexts. The study results indicate that athletes’ group-based sense of self-esteem may be boosted through peer support and supportive leadership behaviors. Athletes in this situation depend heavily on their capacity to learn from criticism since they continuously push themselves to their limits.

High standards of performance are placed on athletes, and criticism is an inevitable part of their development as competitors. But they cannot afford to wallow in their past mistakes. Instead, companies should zero in on what they do particularly well. A strong sense of self-worth is crucial here because it helps athletes ignore criticism and keep pushing forward. They can keep performing at such a high level because they regularly assess and play to their strengths.

In addition, Zhang (2022) stresses the protective function of self-esteem in the face of challenges to one’s sense of meaning in life. People with a healthy sense of self-worth use criticism to better themselves and help those who are less confident. They are able to help others in need since they are strong and confident in themselves. The power of strong self-esteem is demonstrated by the capacity to be a source of strength for others and to persevere in the face of adversity.

Satisfying Social Lives and Relationships

When people have high levels of self-esteem, their own happiness improves and their relationships with others improve as well. Positive emotions are commonly associated with high self-esteem. The characteristics of humility, such as compassion, poise, contentment, honesty, and bravery, are linked to a healthy sense of self-worth (Alfasi, 2019). People who value themselves highly are more likely to succeed in a variety of social contexts. They are forthright and genuine in their communications, not hiding anything about themselves, their accomplishments, or their weaknesses. Individuals with high self-esteem are secure in themselves and their talents, unlike those with low self-esteem, who may fear rejection or judgment. Because of their self-assurance, they can make genuine connections with others and keep their relationships healthy (Santos et al., 2023).

People who value themselves highly are resilient and can push through difficult social situations. They have the maturity to accept that setbacks are inevitable and the fortitude to use them as learning opportunities. This toughness helps them grow as people and makes it easier to handle the intricacies of social interactions. In today’s digital age, one’s sense of pride may be gauged by how they use the internet and social media. Ruzansky & Harrison (2019) showed that confident individuals are more likely to utilize technology responsibly and respond constructively to adversity. They are different from the kind who use social media as a platform to boost their self-esteem or make themselves look better than they are. Instead, their strong sense of identity helps them strike a good balance between their online and offline lives, which improves their well-being (Orth & Robins, 2022).

Personality Development and High Self-Esteem

Personality development and self-esteem are intertwined in a complex and long-lasting way. A healthy sense of self-worth is not a passing emotion but a stable character characteristic. People who value themselves highly are more likely to have characteristics like these. These aspects of their character are vital to their happiness and success, and they are inextricably linked to their sense of self-worth (Burger & Reevy, 2022).

Conclusion

In conclusion, having confidence in oneself is crucial to progress. People who value themselves highly are resilient and can have a good attitude no matter what life throws at them. Negative criticism fuels their drive to improve, and they can persevere in adversity. Having confidence in oneself also makes one’s relationships richer and more fulfilling. It paves the way for people to be themselves, to take risks, and to show compassion, all of which result in more meaningful relationships. Self-esteem is not a one-and-done characteristic, but rather a dynamic one that influences both character and results. It is crucial to one’s development, prosperity, and happiness to fully grasp the psychological significance of maintaining a healthy sense of self-worth.

References

Alfasi, Y. (2019). The grass is always greener on my Friends’ profiles: The effect of Facebook social comparison on state self-esteem and depression. Personality and Individual Differences, 147, 111-117.

Burger, J. M., & Reevy, G. M. (2022). Personality (11th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. ISBN-13: 978107185727.

BYRNE, J. S., & O’BRIEN, E. J. (2014). Interpersonal Views of Narcissism and Authentic High Self-Esteem: It Is Not All about You. Psychological Reports, 115(1), 243–260.

Ding Zhang. (2022). The relationship between gratitude and adolescents’ prosocial behavior: A moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13.

Miller, P. J., & Cho, G. E. (2018). Self-esteem in time and place: How American families imagine, enact, and personalize a cultural ideal. Oxford University Press.

Orth, U., & Robins, R. W. (2022). Is High Self-Esteem Beneficial? Revisiting a Classic Question. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST, 77(1), 5–17.

Ruzansky, A. S., & Harrison, M. A. (2019). Swinging high or low? Measuring self-esteem in swingers. The Social Science Journal, 56(1), 30–37.

Ryusei Noguri, Yujiro Kawata, Shinji Yamaguchi, Nobuto Shibata, & Tsuneyoshi Ota. (2022). High Organization-Based Self-Esteem Is Associated With Lower Risk of Depressive Symptoms Among University Athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 13.

Santos, I. L. S., Lima, D. C. N., Dias, E. V. A., Pessoa, T. E. G., Paiva, T. T., & Pimentel, C. E. (2023). Low Self-Esteem, High FOMO? The Other Side of the Internet Troll. PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS.

Tang, N., & Baker, A. (2016). Self-esteem, financial knowledge and financial behavior. Journal of Economic Psychology, 54, 164-176.

van Dellen, M. R., Campbell, W. K., Hoyle, R. H., & Bradfield, E. K. (2011). Compensating, resisting, and breaking: A meta-analytic examination of reactions to self-esteem threat. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15(1), 51-74.