What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is the way we think and feel about ourselves. Self-esteem can affect how much we:
- Like and value ourselves
- Believe in ourselves
- Are willing to try new or difficult things
- Move on from mistakes without beating ourselves up
- Believe we matter and are good enough
It’s important for teens to have positive self-esteem as this allows them to try new and difficult things, take healthy risks as well as to feel confident to problem solve. When a teen has low self-esteem, they might start to avoid situations where they’re concerned that they might fail, make a mistake or embarrass themselves such as joining a new group, making friends or school work.
Ongoing low self-esteem can lead to problems such as:
- Relationship troubles or difficulty making friends
- Negative moods such as feeling sad, anxious, ashamed or angry
- Negative body image
- Engaging in unhealthy coping strategies to feel better such as alcohol or drug use.
What causes low self-esteem?
The way a teen view’s themselves is a result of their experiences. Some of the common causes of low self-esteem are:
- Unsupportive parents, carers or others that play an influential role
- Friends who are negative influences
- Stressful life events such as divorce or moving houses
- Trauma
- Some mood disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Bullying or isolation
- Medical issues
Some general signs that your child has low self-esteem include:
Emotional signs of low self-esteem
- Feeling unlovable
- Difficulty managing normal levels of frustration
- Fear of failure or embarrassment
- Low levels of motivation and interest
Physical signs of low self-esteem
- Avoiding trying new things
- Making negative comparisons of themselves to others
- Difficulty socially
- Difficulty when given compliments
How we can help?
We can provide a safe and respectful space for your teen to explore their negative feelings and work with them to increase their self-esteem and confidence.
