[Recovery behavior for decreased self-esteem related to the level and stability of self-esteem]

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the level and stability of self-esteem and behavior engaged in to recover from decreased self-esteem. A preparatory study (N=137) investigated recovery behaviors for decreased self-esteem. The main study investigated the factor structure of recovery behavior (N=518) and its relationship with self-esteem (N=96). The results showed that four types of behaviors were used for recovery from decreased self-esteem: disclosure, seeking acceptance, engaging in a pastime, and introspection. People with high and stable self-esteem (HS) engaged in disclosure and a pastime; people with high and unstable self-esteem (HU) engaged in a pastime. People with low and stable self-esteem (LS) did not do anything; people with low and unstable self-esteem (LU) engaged in disclosure and seeking acceptance. Finally, the characteristics of each group and issue of the scale were discussed.