A multidimensional model of self-esteem in depression

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Abstract

Although the concept of self-esteem plays a crucial role in current vulnerability models of depression, empirical studies have found that overall level of self-esteem is not a robust predictor of the onset of the disorder. To resolve this discrepancy we propose a multidimensional model of self-esteem in depression. Psychodynamic, cognitive, and social-environmental models each imply that the nature of vulnerable self-esteem is considerably more complex than simply level (i.e., high vs. low self-esteem) and that other dimensions might be more causally important. According to this multidimensional approach, vulnerability includes (a) structural deficits, such as few, rigid, or externally based sources of self-worth; (b) abnormally low self-esteem that is ā€œprimedā€ by either mildly depressed mood, stressful events, or schema-congruent experiences; and (c) temporal instability of self-worth. We review theoretical and empirical evidence relevant to this model.

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      These results suggest that it is indeed the temporal fluctuation in self-esteem, rather than level of self-esteem, that appears to be a more important vulnerability factor for postnatal depressive symptomatology. Moreover, these findings are in line with research on undergraduate students that demonstrates the role of self-esteem instability in the development of depressive symptoms (Butler et al., 1994; Gable & Nezlek, 1998; Kernis et al., 1991, 1998; de Man et al., 2001; Roberts & Gotlib, 1997; Roberts & Kassel, 1997; Roberts & Monroe, 1994; Roberts et al., 1995) and with the results obtained by Franck and De Raedt (2007), who found that, in a population of never-depressed controls and formerly-depressed individuals, self-esteem instability better predicted future depressive symptoms compared to level of self-esteem. This latter finding suggests the involvement of comparable mechanisms ā€“ and indeed, it has already been suggested that risk factors for postnatal depression are similar to those for major depression, with additional situation-specific factors such as a temperamentally difficult infant (Milgrom, Martin, & Negri, 1999).

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