Self Esteem Test: How to Identify Low Self Esteem
Use this self esteem test to find out if your self esteem is low. Many people experience chronic low self esteem, especially in depression, anxiety, eating disorders. Most of us have self esteem problems at some point in our lives.
Do you think you might have low self esteem? Or do you believe you have positive self image and healthy self esteem? Take this self esteem quiz to find out if you have positive self esteem.
Self esteem is characterized by a combination of attitudes and behaviour that reflect positive self image, respect for self, and respect for others, including:
Self Talk: how you talk to yourself
Do you criticize yourself frequently, or do you use kind, reasonable language in your mind?
Self Care: how you take care of yourself
Do you treat yourself well? Do you get a healthy amount of sleep, good nutrition, and healthy exercise? Do you practice good hygiene habits? Do you wear clothing you like and feel comfortable in?
Time for Yourself
Do you take time to relax each day? Do you spend time doing things you enjoy rather than only on obligations?
Confidence
Do you feel generally confident? Do you speak up when needed? Are you usually free from excessive worry?
Self Regard
Do you like yourself? Do you think you are interesting and worthwhile?
Interactions with others
Do you respect others viewpoints as well as your own? Are you able to talk to other people comfortably? Are you able to handle views that differ from your own? Are you interested in other people?
Low Self Esteem Test
Take this self esteem quiz to determine if your self esteem is low. This portion of the test indicates behaviours and attitudes that suggest poor self esteem or self esteem problems.
Answer yes or no for each item on the low self esteem checklist:
1. frequent negative self talk
2. criticize self frequently
3. poor treatment of self
4. not enough sleep, unhealthy eating habits, lack of hygiene, not enough exercise
5. too much or too little emphasis on taking care of one's appearance
6. no time to relax
7. spending much time on obligations and little time for enjoyment
8. low confidence
9. frequent worrying
10. do not speak up when important
11. dislike the self
12. see self as uninteresting and boring
13. feel worthless
14. see own point of view as always less important than others
15. social isolation
16. see self as always less important than others
Notice that good self esteem is much different than being conceited. The next few points on the low self esteem test indicate low self esteem, but also possible narcissism:
17. see others as always less important than self
18. critical of others
19. very uncomfortable with differences of opinion
20. lack of interest in others
Now add up your total number of yes answers, and continue to the second part of the self esteem quiz: the healthy self esteem test.
Positive Self Esteem Test
These questions can determine if your self esteem is healthy. Answer yes or no for each item on this healthy self esteem checklist:
1. realistic, positive self talk
2. encourage self frequently
3. treat self well
4. get enough sleep, healthy eating habits, proper hygiene, adequate exercise
5. take care of one's appearance without excessive concern about looks
6. time to relax daily
7. a balance between obligations and time for enjoyment
8. high confidence
9. calm, effective problem solving
10.speak up when important
11. like the self
12. see self as interesting
13. feel worthwhile
14. see own point of view as equally important to others' points of view
15. frequent social contact that is positive
16. see self as equally important as others
17. see others as always equally important as self
18. accepting and respectful of others
19. respect others' points of view even when they differ from your own
20. interested in other people
Now add up the number of yes answers to this part of the self esteem quiz.
Finding your self esteem test score
Compare your totals from the low self esteem quiz and the positive self esteem quiz. Which is greater?
Do the following calculation to find out if you have low self esteem or healthy self esteem:
(Positive self esteem score) minus (Low self esteem score) = Total self esteem score
(total for questions 17-20 on positive self esteem) minus (total for questions 17-20 on low self esteem) = Healthy self esteem score
Interpreting your self esteem test scores
Total self esteem test score: A positive number indicates positive self esteem, while a negative number indicates low self esteem. The highest possible score is 20, and the lowest possible score is -20.
Even if you have a high total self esteem test score, a low healthy self esteem test score suggests a problem such as possible narcissistic or egotistical behaviour. Positive self regard that does not respect others or consider them equal to the self is not healthy self esteem.
Scores of -20 to -15 are very low. Significant improvement is needed to achieve healthy self esteem. Self esteem this low has a negative impact on everyday life. It is likely that someone with a self esteem test score in this range may be experiencing depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or other illnesses.
Scores of -14 to 0 indicate low self esteem. Scores in this range suggest problems with body image, decreased confidence, and a low quality of life.
Scores of 1 to 14 indicate positive self esteem with room for improvement. Problems with occasional lack of confidence, less than optimal body image, or a lack of life balance may still be present, but overall actions and attitudes help create positive self esteem.
Scores of 15 to 20 indicate excellent self esteem. It is likely that a healthy balance is present that includes positive self talk, respect for self and others, and attitudes and actions that promote healthy self esteem.
