Self esteem describes a person’s overall sense of personal worth. Self esteem tends to increase throughout one’s life, reaching a low point during adolescence.

High self esteem can lead to better health and behavior, but having too much self esteem can lead to narcissism.

Low self esteem is associated with a broad range of problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Schmitt, D. P., & Allik, J. (2005). Simultaneous administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 53 nations: Exploring the universal and culture-specific features of global self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(4), 623.