Significance

• Self-esteem is one of the most important traits in an individual. Feeling good about yourself and your capabilities enhances your ability and willingness to interact with others. It can make it easier to try new things or stand up for yourself as well. Lack of self-esteem can be extremely detrimental. Indivduals with poor or no self-esteem may withdraw from new people or new experiences. They most likely will also have a lack of self-respect that can lead to self-loathing and self-destructive behavior
  
  

Function

• Self-esteem is relied upon for our emotional and psychological development. It is the foundation of our being. Our ability to challenge or question things that do not seem right stems from self-esteem. Confidence and our ability to stand up for ourselves are also aspects of self-esteem. Self-esteem is also related to our achievements in life such as graduating from college, getting a new job, getting married or buying a new home. Encouragement and recognition from others helps reassure our sense of self as well.
  
  

Identification

• The best measure of self-esteem comes from comparisons with others. Generally, individuals with little or no self-esteem will identify themselves as inferior to others. People with low self-esteem see themselves as being inferior and incapable of change in the future.
  
  

Effects

• Self-esteem can have many positive and negative effects on people. People with negative self-esteem tend to isolate themselves from others. They also go along with decisions made by others, whether or not they agree with them. The use of drugs, alcohol or self-mutilitive behavior can arise as a result of severe self-loathing associated with low self-esteem. Conversely, positive self-esteem promotes the desire for intimate relationships. It is also a major factor in goal-setting.
  
  

Benefits

• The benefits of self-esteem are far reaching. Acceptance of oneself allows people to confront challenges and failure in a more healthy way. For example, outcomes are viewed more objectively, and bad outcomes are not always attributed to themselves. Self-esteem also promotes resilency in individuals. Overcoming odds, standing up to adversaries and instituing change could not be possible if people did not first believe themselves to be important and worthy of good things.