Harvard Health Information Home
 
   
 
 
PRESS RELEASES HealthBeat Newsletter
 
 
Home > Press Releases > Implicit vs. Explicit Self-Esteem  
 
 

Importance of High Self-Esteem

June 1, 2007

How important is self-esteem?, from the Harvard Mental Health Letter

BOSTON — Many regard heightened self-esteem as a worthy aim, but others worry that its significance and value are overrated, reports the June 2007 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter.

There is convincing evidence that people with high self-esteem are happier, as well as more likely to undertake difficult tasks and persevere in the face of failure. Other studies have failed to confirm the virtues of high self-esteem. One way to understand the divergent views is to distinguish various kinds of self-esteem. Researchers are beginning to examine differences between explicit and implicit self-esteem. The explicit form is judged by what we say about ourselves, while implicit self-esteem is measured by automatic responses, such as how we associate words that have favorable or unfavorable connotations with ourselves.

When is it sensible to treat high self-esteem as a goal in itself? Critics suggest that even when self-esteem is associated with something desirable — for instance, happiness — there is no proof of a causal link. A genetic predisposition to feeling good might be the source of both happiness and high self-esteem. Making self-esteem the primary goal could remove an incentive for genuine self-improvement and encourage self-centeredness. However, other clinicians say that long-term studies provide sufficient evidence that self-esteem is a source of good things and not just a by-product.

It can hardly be harmful for therapists to encourage patients to take credit for their accomplishments. But constant attention to self-validation is not a road to good mental health. Dr. Michael Miller, editor in chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, says, “It’s more likely that self-esteem will come as a result of accurate self-understanding, appreciation of one’s genuine skills, and the satisfaction of helping others.”

Also in this issue:

  • Obstacles to getting schizophrenia treatment
  • Diagnosis bias: Effects of race, profession
  • Alternative medicine and depression
  • A doctor discusses: Varenicline for quitting smoking
Related Information
The Harvard Mental Health Letter is your monthly guide to mental health
Click to enlarge
 

Harvard Mental Health Letter

The Harvard Mental Health Letter is a unique resource that covers a wide range of mental health issues and concerns. It presents the latest thinking, treatment options, therapies and debate of interest to both mental health care professionals and the concerned public. Read more

SUBSCRIBE NOW 12 monthly issues (Print+Electronic) $59.00
SUBSCRIBE NOW 12 monthly issues (Electronic Only) $55.00

RSS | XML FEED

Harvard Mental Health Letter is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of the Harvard Medical School. You can subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/mental or by calling 1-877-649-9457 toll-free.

About Harvard Health Publications
Harvard Health Publications publishes five monthly newsletters—Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Women's Health Watch, Harvard Men's Health Watch, Harvard Mental Health Letter, and Harvard Heart Letter—as well as more than 50 special health reports and books drawing on the expertise of the 8,000 faculty physicians at Harvard Medical School and its world-famous affiliated hospitals. For more information about Harvard Medical School publications, please visit our Web site, www.health.harvard.edu.

Source: Harvard Health Publications
Contact: hhpmedia@hms.harvard.edu
Web site: http://www.health.harvard.edu

 

Bookstore
Newsletters
Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Women’s Health Watch
Harvard Men’s Health Watch
Harvard Heart Letter
Harvard Mental Health Letter
Perspectives on Prostate Disease
Premium Access
Special Reports
Exercise
Vitamins
Skin Care
Stress Management
Foot Care
See All Titles
Books
Your Developing Baby
The Fertility Diet
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy
Beating Diabetes
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide
See All Titles
Browse
Common Medical Conditions
Wellness & Prevention
Emotional Well Being & Mental Health
Women’s Health
Men’s Health
Heart & Circulatory Health
Tools
Guide to Diagnostic Tests