A person who has positive thoughts about their qualities and characteristics has high self-esteem.

On the other hand, a person with negative thoughts about their qualities and characteristics has low self-esteem.

This article goes over self-esteem, what it means, and how it affects you.

self-esteem mental health

People Images / Getty Images

It also offers some advice on how to improve your self-esteem.

Beyond these trends, many different circumstances, thoughts, and beliefs can impact self-esteem throughout life.

A person could have general low self-esteem, or low self-esteem in all areas.

Higher levels of both perceived and measured intelligence and academic achievement have been linked to higher levels of self-esteem.

In fact, high general self-esteem provides benefits in a variety of areas.

Career

Self-esteem can play a role in career progression.

It can also continue into adulthood.

Physical Appearance

Physical appearance, body image, andweightare all linked to self-esteem.

Low self-esteem in these areas impacts many teens and adults.

Self-Esteem vs. Self-Concept

Self-concept is a broad description of how you see yourself.

It’s everything you know about who you are as a person.

Self-esteem, on the other hand, is how you evaluate yourself.

However, some signs can help to identify general low self-esteem.

Conditions Associated With Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is linked to many mental health concerns.

Students with high self-esteem tend to be more engaged in school and more successful at work.

They are also more likely to be in stable romantic relationships.

People with high self-esteem have certain qualities that help them excel in these areas.

For example:

Causes of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem often has external causes.

Summary

Self-esteem can have a profound impact on your happiness and success.

Low self-esteem is associated with problems like anxiety, depression, and addiction.

It is also strongly correlated with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Self-esteem can be improved with deliberate changes in the way you think and by surrounding yourself with supportive people.

you’re free to also improve your self-esteem with the help of a mental health care professional.

APA Dictionary of Psychology.Self-esteem.

2016;12:2617-2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811

National Eating Disorder Collaboration.Body image.

2019;44(2):197-207. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsy070

National Health Service.Raising low self-esteem.

National Alliance on Mental Health.Why self-esteem is important for mental health.

Orth U, Robins RW.Is high self-esteem beneficial?

Revisiting a classic question.Am Psychol.

2021;2(3):112-6.