4 ) Child abuse increases likelihood of low self esteem
People who were abused as children ( physical beating or sexual abuse ) are more likely to suffer low self esteem as adults ( 6 ) . They have learned that they are of little value in themselves or just an object to be used . They have been ' brain washed ' by constant criticism or abuse that they are a certain way . When a person begins to question this former conditioning or brainwashing then a healthier and more accurate sense of self can begin to emerge . This happens in a similar way to how people may break away from the brainwashing of a cult . There are other forms of abuse and certainly a history of being heavily criticised or unfavourably compared to others can lead to low self esteem (" why can ' t you be more like your brother !”).
Former abuse may lead to post traumatic stress disorder which maintains the sense of " damage " and low self worth . Once traumatic memories are dealt with effectively the mind becomes clearer to form a better self esteem . So what else does the low self esteem sufferer need ?
So past conditioning ( often but not always from childhood ) can produce low self esteem in adults . But why didn ' t the drive to raise self esteem in school kids ( starting in California with a legislature to raise self esteem ) prevent childhood depression and low self esteem from rising ?
5 ) You can ' t ‘ argue ’ someone , better !
The 1980s drive to raise low self esteem in schools backfired ( 4 ) . Why ? Well it was based on the idea that low self esteem can be successfully treated by a bombardment of " positive messages ”.
But research has shown that positive affirmations actually worsen the mood of people who already have low self esteem ( 5 ) . It seems that positive thinking as a " blunt instrument " used repetitively to try to brainwash people to feel better about themselves is too superficial an approach . And the person with low self esteem senses this .
Telling someone they are great or wonderful when they are constantly negative about themselves will not work . Imagine if you really detest yourself and someone tells you that you ' re lovely even as they are telling everyone else the same thing .