Itsetuntoa

Itsetuntoa is the partitive form of itsetunto, a Finnish term commonly translated as self-esteem or sense of self-worth. In psychology, itsetunto refers to one’s overall evaluation of one’s value as a person, including self-respect, acceptance of strengths and weaknesses, and perceived worth. It is related to, but distinct from, self-efficacy or task-specific confidence (itsevarmuus), which focuses more on belief in one’s ability to perform particular actions. The word itsetuntoa appears in sentences where self-esteem is the object of an action, such as “vahvistaa itsetuntoa” (to strengthen self-esteem).

Itsetunto develops from childhood through adolescence through interactions with family, peers, success and failure experiences, and broader cultural messages about worth and identity. Supportive environments, realistic feedback, and opportunities to experience mastery tend to strengthen itsetunto, while chronic criticism, stigma, unfavorable social comparison, or trauma can diminish it. It is dynamic over time, capable of improvement with appropriate support or of fluctuation due to life circumstances.

Measurement and use: researchers commonly assess itsetunto with self-report scales, including Finnish translations of established instruments like the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Clinically and in education, low itsetunto is associated with risks such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, while higher itsetunto correlates with resilience and well-being. Interventions to foster itsetunto emphasize self-compassion, balanced feedback, and opportunities for successful, autonomous activity. In everyday language, itsetuntoa is a frequent topic in discussions of mental health and personal development, with common expressions such as matala itsetunto and korkea itsetunto.