Self-esteem and self-evaluative covert statements

Self-esteem scores, as measured by 2 standardized inventories, were compared with self-monitored positive and negative self-evaluations in 33 college students. Self-esteem was negatively correlated with both the absolute and relative rates of negative self-evaluations. Also, Ss higher in self-esteem reported significantly greater rates of positive than negative self-evaluations, whereas these data for Ss lower in self-esteem were nondifferential. Self-monitored nonevaluative behaviors served as controls and indicated that the observed relationship between self-esteem and self-evaluative statements was not artifactual. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).