Multiple Identities and Self-Esteem

Abstract

Self-esteem is a common concern in our everyday life. People associate high self-esteem with positive self-feelings, behaviors, and outcomes, and low self-esteem with negative self-feelings, behaviors, and outcomes. We explore how individuals feel about themselves in global terms given the multiple role identities (religious, parent, and spouse/partner) they may claim. We anticipate that role identities that are more important to individuals will be linked to positive feelings about themselves in those identities. In turn, these positive feelings should be associated with positive feelings about themselves overall. The role identities are examined as they relate to self-esteem. The findings reveal that both role-specific self-efficacy and self-worth are positively related to global self-esteem. Additionally, more important role identities are positively associated with role-specific self-esteem, and higher self-esteem in these identities is tied to global self-esteem. The findings contribute to an understanding of how specific role identity self-feelings relate to global self-feelings.