Influence of level and instability of self-esteem on help-seeking orientation and help-seeking

Abstract

There have been contrasting arguments on the relationship between self-esteem and help-seeking behavior. Some have argued that high self-esteem inhibits help-seeking, while others have maintained that it is those with low-self esteem that are reluctant to ask for help. The author proposed that this relationship is moderated by the instability of self-esteem. To examine this prediction, the stability and level of self-esteem were examined as predictors of help seeking orientation and actual help-seeking, whilst controlling for the frequency and day-to-day variation in interpersonal stress. With regard to actual help-seeking, separate examinations with regard to target, family members and non-family others, were also conducted. Forty-eight Japanese graduates and undergraduates participated in a one-week diary survey. Results indicated that among those whose self-esteem was instable, high self-esteem had a negative effect on help-seeking orientation and on the frequency of help-seeking behavior. In contrast, among those with stable self-esteem, the level of self-esteem was positively related to help-seeking orientation and frequency of help-seeking. With regard to help-seeking, this pattern was evident on help-seeking toward non-family others. Implications to future help-seeking study are discussed.View full abstract