High Self-Esteem Isn't Always Healthy

Study Warns Of High Self-Esteem That Is Fragile And Shallow

(WebMD)  A new study suggests that high self-esteem isn't necessarily healthy self-esteem because there are different types of high self-esteem.

"There are many kinds of high self-esteem, and in this study we found that for those in which it is fragile and shallow it's no better than having low self-esteem," says researcher Michael Kernis, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, in a news release. "People with fragile high self-esteem compensate for their self-doubts by engaging in exaggerated tendencies to defend, protect and enhance their feelings of self-worth."

Researchers say it was once thought that more self-esteem was necessarily better self-esteem. But in recent years, self-esteem has come under closer examination after discovering links to aggressive behavior.

For example, Kernis says high self-esteem can become harmful when it is accompanied by verbal defensiveness, such as lashing out at others when a person's beliefs, statements, or values are threatened.


Self-Esteem Can Be Fragile

To help break down when high self-esteem turns from good to bad, researchers looked at whether people with "fragile" high self-esteem were more verbally defensive than those with more "secure" high self-esteem in a three-part study involving 100 undergraduates.

First, the students filled out questionnaires to determine their self-esteem levels. Then researchers assessed the stability of the students' self-esteem by evaluating it in different contexts.

Finally, the students participated in a "life experiences interview" in which they were asked questions about their past. The questions ranged from relatively neutral such as "How accepted did you feel growing up?" to more stressful questions, such as, "Tell me about a time when you have secretly acted in a self-destructive way."

The results, published in the Journal of Personality, show that people with secure high self-esteem appeared to accept themselves "warts and all" and were less likely to be verbally defensive by blaming others or providing excuses when discussing past transgressions or threatening experiences.

In contrast, those with low self-esteem or fragile high self-esteem were more verbally defensive.

"These findings support the view that heightened defensiveness reflects insecurity, fragility and less-than-optimal functioning rather than a healthy psychological outlook," says Kernis. "We aren't suggesting there's something wrong with people when they want to feel good about themselves. What we are saying is that when feeling good about themselves becomes a prime directive, for these people excessive defensiveness and self-promotion are likely to follow, the self-esteem is likely to be fragile rather than secure and any psychological benefits will be very limited."

[gce65]

CBS: Not covering this? The WaPost is.

Study Finds No Cancer-Marijuana Connection
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 26, 2006; Page A03

The largest study of its kind has unexpectedly concluded that smoking marijuana, even regularly and heavily, does not lead to lung cancer.

The new findings "were against our expectations," said Donald Tashkin of the University of California at Los Angeles, a pulmonologist who has studied marijuana for 30 years.

"We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heavier use," he said. "What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of some protective effect."

Federal health and drug enforcement officials have widely used Tashkin''s previous work on marijuana to make the case that the drug is dangerous. Tashkin said that while he still believes marijuana is potentially harmful, its cancer-causing effects appear to be of less concern than previously thought.

Earlier work established that marijuana does contain cancer-causing chemicals as potentially harmful as those in tobacco, he said. However, marijuana also contains the chemical THC, which he said may kill aging cells and keep them from becoming cancerous.

MORE ON WA POST WEBSITE
Read it quick, before the Bush Admin rewrites the reports with non-scientists and changes its conclusions!

[nottellin1]

Well, I guess this explains what is wrong with all our politicians.

[jjarden]

Extremophil said...

"If you want to see a lot of high self-esteem individuals, check out any death row."


ACTUALLY...the Empirical Psychological Research has shown that all Criminals have "LOW" Self-Esteem. That is WHY they choose a life of crime. If they had "HIGH" Self-Esteem they would be able to function properly in society in accordance with the law. They cannot, and therefore choose a life of crime.

[drivelphobe]

smitty448.....

Perhaps you are correct, but isn''t your reaction to our posts the identical? Didn''t I say that we are all the same with good and bad days?

I guess it''s almost time for your appointment.

Have a wonderful day.

[tejasdemo]

Old burned out bitter menopause ladies are the problem.

[extremophil]

If you want to see a lot of high self-esteem individuals, check out any death row.

[jjarden]

"ESTEM" is a VERY Simple Concept. People either have "SELF-ESTEEM" or the have "OTHER-ESTEEM." If you CARE what other people think or say about ANYTHING in your life or about you, then you have LOW "SELF" Esteem and HIGH "OTHER" Esteem. If you DO NOT CARE what others Think or Say about ANYTHING in your life or about you then you have HIGH "SELF" Esteem and LOW "OTHER" Esteem.

It''s THAT SIMPLE PEOPLE...so which one do you have?

[b-easy63]

This is a silly article.The fact is any one with fragile high self esteem does NOT have high self esteem, they have low self esteem and step on others to make themselves feel taller. This has always been known. Those with true high self esteem do not rely on what they own or who they know or other shallow measurements of worth--they have a high regard for themselves by consistently living up to their own standards and values--and therefore do not look down on themselves.

[drivelphobe]

What a bunch of psychological prating. Self-esteem, feeling good about yourself, loving your self, are all terms and phrases used by the "shrinks" to confuse. What does it all mean? I heard someone on the TV say until you love yourself, you can''t love anyone else! Who are they kidding? We''re all alike with good days and bad. Just live with it. Let''s have a love in.