The DOI matches its Crossref record; 126 of the 136 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
TARGET ARTICLE: Toward a Conceptualization of Optimal Self-Esteem
Abstract
In this article, I present a theoretical perspective on the nature of "optimal" self-esteem. One of my major goals is to show that optimal and high self-esteem are different from each other. High self-esteem can be fragile or secure depending upon the extent to which it is defensive or genuine, contingent or true, unstable or stable, and discrepant or congruent with implicit (nonconscious) feelings of self-worth. Optimal self-esteem is characterized by qualities associated with genuine, true, stable, and congruent (with implicit self-esteem) high self-esteem. A second major goal is to present a conceptualization of the construct of authenticity. I propose that authenticity as an individual difference construct may be particularly important in delineating the adaptive features of optimal self-esteem. Authenticity can be characterized as the unobstructed operation of one's true, or core, self in one's daily enterprise. I argue that authenticity has 4 components: awareness, unbiased processing, action, and relational. Initial data pertaining to these components are highly encouraging. Finally, I discuss some implications of the fragile versus secure high self-esteem distinction for narcissism, defensive processing models, and cross-cultural self-esteem perspectives.
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In the citing paper
“Kernis' (2003) theory of authenticity was not specific to leadership but was meant to differentiate an optimal or stable self-esteem from a fragile or defensive self-esteem.”
From Taking Stock of Moral Approaches to Leadership: An Integrative Review of Ethical, Authentic, and Servant Leadership (2019) · cites this paper as Kernis, 2003
In the citing paper
“Kernis' work identified four components of authenticity: self-awareness, unbiased processing of self-relevant information, behavior in accordance with one's true self, and openness and honesty in relationships.”
From Taking Stock of Moral Approaches to Leadership: An Integrative Review of Ethical, Authentic, and Servant Leadership (2019) · cites this paper as Kernis, 2003
In the citing paper
“As such, there is a risk of developing contingent self-worth (Deci and Ryan 1995;Kernis 2003) insofar as individuals feel that they must live up to specific standards or attain particular outcomes to be worthy.”
From Basic psychological need theory: Advancements, critical themes, and future directions (2020) · cites this paper as Kernis 2003
In the citing paper
“identifies four core elements of authenticity: self-awareness, unbiased processing, relational authenticity, and authentic behavior/action.”
From Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership (2005) · cites this paper as Kernis (2003)
In the citing paper
“the previously discussed arguments advanced by Kernis (2003) that authenticity involves unbiased (balanced) processing, relational transparency/authenticity, and authentic behavior.”
From Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership (2005) · cites this paper as Kernis (2003)
In the citing paper
“Kernis' (2003) assertion that authenticity (through self-awareness and relational transparency) fosters positive affective states.”
From Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership (2005) · cites this paper as Kernis (2003)
In the citing paper
“Once again, however, the discussion of these topics is not well integrated with available theory and research on the self-systems of leaders and followers (Hoyle, Kernis, Leary, & Baldwin, 1999; Kernis, 2003) or positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Snyder & Lopez, 2002)”
From Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership (2005) · cites this paper as Kernis, 2003
Citations
Cites
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Items 1,001–1,001 of 1,001
Unconditional Self-acceptance: The Silent Hero of Emotional Well-Being.
Popov, S., & Jovanović, T. (2026) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-026-00660-2 · Cited by 1
“Like the USA, they also talk about an attitude towards oneself that is considered more constructive regarding mental health than the prevalent general self-esteem and introduce terms such as contingent and non-contingent self-esteem (Kernis, 2003).”
Metadata
- Authors
- Kernis, M. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kernis, Michael H.
- Venue
- Psychological Inquiry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2003-01
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-26
- ISSN
- 1047-840X (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7965
- OpenAlex
- W1981141777
- Cited by
- 1,683
- References
- 136
- Citations by year
- 2026: 62 · 2025: 83 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 69 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 96 · 2020: 121 · 2019: 97 · 2018: 109 · 2017: 87 · 2016: 111 · 2015: 94 · 2014: 97 · 2013: 92 · 2012: 84
- FWCI
- 28.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Inquiry (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Keywords
- high self-esteem, authenticity, implicit self-esteem, defensive processing, narcissism, individual differences, self-awareness
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