selfregard

Self-regard refers to the evaluation of one’s own worth, value, and dignity. It is a component of self-concept and can influence motivation and emotional well-being. While often equated with self-esteem or self-respect in everyday language, some psychologists distinguish self-regard as the evaluative judgment of worth, with self-esteem and self-respect serving broader or different aspects of self-perception. High self-regard indicates a relatively favorable self-view; low self-regard indicates a more negative one.

Development is shaped by early relationships, feedback from others, cultural norms, and life experiences. Self-regard is molded by successes, failures, social comparison, and internal standards. Cultural contexts affect what is judged as worthy, and self-regard can fluctuate with circumstances, though some individuals maintain relatively stable levels across time.

Measurement and clinical relevance: Self-regard is often assessed within broader self-esteem or self-concept measures. Clinically, very low self-regard is linked to depression and anxiety, while unstable or inflated self-regard can relate to maladaptive self-views or narcissistic patterns. Treatments typically aim for a balanced, realistic sense of self rather than uncritical positivity.

Promotion and implications: Fostering healthy self-regard involves self-compassion, cognitive reframing of negative thoughts, attainable goal setting, and supportive social networks. Educational, workplace, and therapeutic contexts emphasize resilience and well-being through accurate self-appraisal and acknowledgment of strengths and limitations, while avoiding overdependence on external approval or pathological vanity.

Etymology and related terms: The term arises from the notion of regard or assessment of the self. In psychology, it overlaps with self-esteem, self-respect, and self-compassion. Foundational theories include humanistic psychology’s emphasis on self-worth and the role of unconditional positive regard in nurturing healthy self-regard.