Understanding the Link Between Low Self-Esteem and Depression
Open accessAbstract
Although it is well documented that low self-esteem and depression are related, the precise nature of the relation has been a topic of ongoing debate. We describe several theoretical models concerning the link between self-esteem and depression, and review recent research evaluating the validity of these competing models. Overall, the available evidence provides strong support for the vulnerability model (low self-esteem contributes to depression), weaker support for the scar model (depression erodes self-esteem), and little support for alternative accounts such as the diathesis-stress model. Moreover, the vulnerability model is robust and holds across gender, age, affective-cognitive versus somatic symptoms of depression, European background versus Mexican-origin participants, and clinical versus nonclinical samples. Research on further specifications of the vulnerability model suggests that the effect is (a) partially mediated by rumination, (b) not influenced by other characteristics of self-esteem (i.e., stability and contingency), and (c) driven predominantly by global rather than domain-specific self-esteem. The research has important theoretical implications because it counters the commonly repeated claim that self-esteem has no long-term impact. Moreover, the research has important practical implications, suggesting that depression can be prevented, or reduced, by interventions that improve self-esteem.
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Low self-esteem is associated with many psychological dysfunctions such as depression and anxiety.
“A considerable number of studies have shown that low self-esteem is associated with many psychological dysfunctions such as depression and anxiety (e.g., Orth, Robins, & Roberts, 2008; Orth & Robins, 2013; Sowislo & Orth, 2013).”
From Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention (2019) · cites this paper as Orth & Robins, 2013
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Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention
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“A considerable number of studies have shown that low self-esteem is associated with many psychological dysfunctions such as depression and anxiety (e.g., Orth, Robins, & Roberts, 2008; Orth & Robins, 2013; Sowislo & Orth, 2013).”
BackgroundResultAssociation of screen time and depression in adolescence
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- Authors
- Orth, U., & Robins, R. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Basel (CH)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Venue
- Current Directions in Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2013-12
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 455-460
- ISSN
- 0963-7214 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-8721
- OpenAlex
- W2162235892
- Cited by
- 499
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 37 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 28.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Current Directions in Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion)
- Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- low self-esteem, depression, vulnerability model, diathesis-stress model, rumination, global self-esteem, domain-specific self-esteem, depression prevention, Mexican-origin adults, gender differences
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