What Is Self-Esteem? Elements and How to Work on It
Jan. 5, 2026
Self-esteem is a fundamental pillar of emotional well-being, especially during key life stages such as adolescence or early adulthood. Feeling confident about who we are and trusting our abilities directly influences our personal relationships, academic performance, and professional development.
If you are interested in working in health psychology and helping patients strengthen their self-esteem and mental well-being, specialised training is essential. The degree in Psychology in Madrid and the degree in Psychology in Valencia at Universidad Europea provide the first steps into a career as a general health psychologist, combining strong theoretical foundations with practical experience.
In this post, we explore what is self-esteem, its main components, and how to work on it using effective psychological strategies.
Understanding self-esteem
Self-esteem can be defined as the subjective evaluation a person makes of themselves. It involves how we perceive our own worth, recognise our strengths, and accept our limitations. This self-perception develops from childhood and is shaped by factors such as family dynamics, education, social relationships, and life experiences.
Healthy self-esteem does not mean feeling superior to others. Instead, it reflects a realistic and balanced view of oneself, allowing people to face challenges with confidence and resilience.
Positive self-esteem vs. Low self-esteem
Understanding the difference between healthy and low self-esteem is key in both personal development and psychological practice.
- Positive self-esteem: People with healthy self-esteem trust their abilities, accept constructive criticism, and are able to learn from mistakes. They tend to form healthier relationships and cope better with stress and change.
- Low self-esteem: Low self-esteem often manifests as insecurity, fear of failure, excessive self-criticism, or a constant need for external validation. Over time, it can negatively affect emotional health and is commonly linked to anxiety, depression, or difficulties in decision-making.
From a psychological perspective, identifying these patterns is essential in order to intervene effectively.
Key components of self-esteem
Self-esteem is not a single concept but a combination of interrelated elements:
Self-Image
This refers to how you perceive yourself, both physically and psychologically. It includes appearance, skills, and personality traits, often influenced by social comparison.
Self-Concept
Self-concept is the set of beliefs you hold about yourself: your abilities, values, knowledge, and roles. It is shaped by experiences, learning, and feedback from others.
Self-Evaluation
This is how you judge yourself against your own standards and expectations. Balanced self-evaluation allows you to recognise achievements while viewing mistakes as learning opportunities.
Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance involves acknowledging strengths and weaknesses without excessive self-judgement. It is a core element of stable and healthy self-esteem.
Techniques to improve self-esteem
Working on self-esteem is a gradual process that requires consistency and self-awareness. Some effective strategies include:
- Identifying Negative Thoughts: Pay attention to your internal dialogue. Learning to recognise automatic negative thoughts and replacing them with more realistic ones is a common cognitive-behavioural technique used in psychology.
- Setting Achievable Goals: Small, realistic goals reinforce motivation and confidence. Each achieved objective strengthens the perception of competence.
- Building Supportive Relationships: Surrounding yourself with people who offer encouragement and respect has a strong positive impact on self-esteem. Learning to set boundaries is equally important.
- Recognising Achievements: Keeping a record of personal successes, however small, helps counteract the tendency to minimise progress.
- Practising Self-Care: Physical and emotional self-care—such as adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and enjoyable activities—plays a significant role in emotional balance and self-esteem.
Working on self-esteem in adolescents and adults
Self-esteem interventions vary depending on life stage:
Adolescents
During adolescence, identity development and social comparison are particularly intense. Encouraging self-knowledge, reinforcing individual strengths, and offering positive role models are key strategies.
Adults
In adulthood, factors such as work pressure or family responsibilities may affect self-esteem. Techniques like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring are often effective.
These approaches are core areas of study in health psychology training programmes.
Why self-esteem matters in psychology
Self-esteem is central to psychological well-being and is addressed across many areas of psychology. Professionals in this field work to help individuals build healthier self-perceptions, improving their emotional resilience, relationships, and quality of life.
Studying a degree in Psychology in Alicante or a degree in Psychology in Malaga at Universidad Europea allows students to understand these processes in depth and explore different professional pathways. For those aiming to work directly with patients, specialising through a qualifying master’s degree in health psychology is essential.
Conclusion: self-esteem, psychology, and your future
Self-esteem plays a crucial role in mental health and personal development, making it a key focus in psychological practice.
In summary:
- Self-esteem reflects how we value and accept ourselves.
- It is made up of self-image, self-concept, self-evaluation, and self-acceptance.
- Psychological techniques can effectively strengthen self-esteem at any life stage.
- Health psychology professionals are trained to work on self-esteem in clinical settings.
If you are interested in mental health and want to make a positive impact on people’s lives, specialising in health psychology can be a rewarding career path. You can also explore the wider degrees in biomedicine and health at Universidad Europea to find the programme that best aligns with your professional goals.