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Cited by 836Personality Traits and PsychologyAging and Gerontology ResearchCultural Differences and Values

Global self-esteem across the life span.

Robins, Richard W., Trzesniewski, Kali H., Tracy, Jessica L., Gosling, Samuel D., Potter, Jeff·2002·Psychology and Aging
DOI 10.1037/0882-7974.17.3.423
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Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive picture of age differences in self-esteem from age 9 to 90 years using cross-sectional data collected from 326,641 individuals over the Internet. Self-esteem levels were high in childhood, dropped during adolescence, rose gradually throughout adulthood, and declined sharply in old age. This trajectory generally held across gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and nationality (U.S. citizens vs. non-U.S. citizens). Overall, these findings support previous research, help clarify inconsistencies in the literature, and document new trends that require further investigation.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1037/0882-7974.17.3.423

Cites

7 of 7 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The psychometric properties of single-item measures typically fall behind those of multi-item measures, but a large body of evidence suggests the SISES may be an exception.

    “The On the Function of Self-Esteem 27 psychometric properties of single-item measures typically fall behind those of multi-item measures; however a large body of evidence suggests that the SISES may be an exception (Gebauer, Broemer, Haddock, & von Hecker, 2008;Robins, Trzesniewski, Tracy, Gosling, & Potter, 2002;Ross & Wilson, 2002).”

    From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Robins, Trzesniewski, Tracy, Gosling, & Potter, 2002

  • Self-esteem generally decreases across the adolescent years.

    “A large body of research suggests that self-esteem generally decreases across the adolescent years (Robins, Trzesniewski, Tracy, Gosling, & Potter, 2002;Robins & Trzesniewski, 2005;Zimmerman et al., 1997).”

    From Low and decreasing self-esteem during adolescence predict adult depression two decades later. (2014) · cites this paper as Robins, Trzesniewski, Tracy, Gosling, & Potter, 2002

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Authors
Robins, R. W., Trzesniewski, K. H., Tracy, J. L., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J.
Affiliations
  • University of California, Davis (US)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
ORCID
Venue
Psychology and Aging
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2002
Volume
17
Issue
3
Pages
423-434
ISSN
  • 0882-7974 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1498
DOI
10.1037/0882-7974.17.3.423
OpenAlex
W2136307137
Cited by
836
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 53
FWCI
13.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychology and Aging (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (1r03mh061829-01)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH61829)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Cultural Differences and Values
Keywords
self-esteem, lifespan development, age differences, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age, gender differences, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, nationality
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Child, Demography, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Socioeconomic Factors

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