Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan ─ Issues and Interventions

As long as clinicians write “increase self-esteem” on treatment plans without knowing precisely what that means, there is a need for information on the construct of self-esteem and how its many components can have an effect on outcomes. This text defines self-esteem, describes its history and evolution, discusses its controversies, and presents information on intervention strategies that can make a difference when it receives clinical attention. Principles and concepts are applied to various clinical concerns faced by clients in each of the five developmental life stages: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, midlife, and late life. Book chapters discuss a variety of specific issues– such as child trauma and abuse, ADHD, body image and eating disorders, at-risk adolescents, African American youth, sexuality in young adulthood, alcohol and other drugs issues, lesbians and gay men at midlife, career development, intergenerational conflict in Asian Americans, and loss in late life – and offer detailed strategies for the development and enhancement of self-esteem. Also included is an example of an 8-week self-esteem enhancement program.

Part I: Introduction Guindon, What is Self-Esteem? Guindon, What Do We Know About Self-Esteem Interventions? Part II: Childhood: Introduction. Green, Kolos, Facilitating Self-Esteem in Elementary School-aged Children: A Child-centered Play Therapy Approach. Burke, Pilecki, The Effects of Intrafamilial Trauma on Self-Esteem Development. Mellin, Children of Families Affected by a Parental Mental Illness. Muratori, Fostering Healthy Self-Esteem in Gifted and Talented Children. Part III: Adolescence: Introduction. Richman, Hope, Mihalas, Assessment and Treatment of Self-Esteem in Adolescents with ADHD. Smith, Body Image, Eating Disorders and Self-Esteem Problems During Adolescence. Crenshaw, Lee, At-risk Adolescents: Self-Esteem, Youth Violence, and Teen Pregnancy. Bailey, Bradbury-Bailey, Promoting the Self-Esteem of African American Adolescent Boys. Herlihy, Watson, Issues of African American Girls. Part IV: Early Adulthood: Introduction. Hunt, Young Women and Self-Esteem. Giordano, Rush, Self-Esteem and Sexuality: An Exploration of Differentiation and Attachment. Hunt, Guindon, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Addiction in Young Adults. Part V: Midlife: Introduction. Whitman, Lesbians and Gay Men at Midlife. Niles, Jacob, Nichols, Career Development Issues in Midlife. Brickwedde, Chronic Health Issues. Part VI: Late Life: Introduction. Richmond, Guindon, Self-Esteem and the Third Phase of Life. Kim, Park, Asian American Elders in the US Culture. Gladding, Martin, Creativity and Self-Esteem Later in Life. Part VII: Conclusion. Guindon, Summary and Implications for the Future. Appendix A: Resources. Appendix B: Example of a Group Self-Esteem Intervention Program.