Self-esteem in adolescence is believed to be closely linked to levels of family support and social acceptance by adolescents. Physical appearance can be very important to some teens and can lead to low self-esteem in teens who perceive themselves as physically undesirable or less attractive than their peers. Teens can also experience a decline in self-esteem if they fail to excel in some area of life, be it academics, sports, or a hobby. Increasing self-esteem in adolescence generally involves increasing the level of parental support and social interaction of adolescents. Teens who experience personal success, especially those who do well in something that inspires them,
Experts believe that changes in self-esteem during adolescence may be related to adolescents' struggle for identity and a sense of belonging. Young adolescents are considered more prone to drops in self-esteem, due to the lifestyle changes that can occur when one moves from childhood to adolescence. However, it is believed that children who enjoy healthy self-esteem will continue to enjoy healthy levels of self-esteem into adolescence.
Adolescents, especially girls, can experience fluctuations in self-esteem due to dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. Girls are seen as particularly vulnerable to body image issues, as they can be vulnerable to cultural messages that convey a rigid standard of female beauty. Children can have self-esteem issues related to performance issues, especially academic and athletic performance. They may also have a difficult time adjusting to culturally prescribed roles for adult men.
Academic performance is considered an important indicator of self-esteem in adolescence. Teens who do well in school are more likely to enjoy healthy self-esteem. Good performance in sports or an enjoyable hobby, such as music or art, can also contribute to a teenager's self-esteem. Activities like these allow teens to learn about themselves and develop a sense of self-worth by discovering their strengths. Extracurricular and group activities can help teens meet other like-minded people and forge friendships, fulfilling the need for social acceptance that can be crucial to maintaining healthy self-esteem in adolescence.
The consequences of low self-esteem for teens can be serious. It can cause depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, and even suicide. However, experts believe that young adolescents who are helped with self-esteem issues can easily experience healthy levels of self-esteem in late adolescence and adulthood.