Positive Affirmations Not Beneficial for People with Low Self-Esteem – Study Suggests
July 20th, 2009
Self help books have made a range of positive, affirmative phrases fairly popular, ranging from aspects about the self to actualization slogans and other words meant to empower and encourage. But a study recently published in Psychological Science suggests that repeating such phrases as an exercise may actually do more harm than good for people with low self esteem. The study strengthens the idea that professional, individualized counseling and psychotherapy services are likely more effective options for those with low self-esteem and related psychological and emotional issues.
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It make sense from an internal systems perspective that the more a part of a person tries to declare and force reality through affirmation, that other parts in polarization to it, such as an internal critic or parts that feel worthless, would present themselves. it highlights the flaw many positive thinking self help approaches: no matter how much one believes they are capable, if some hidden part of themselves holds the opposite feeling or belief, they attempt to improve one self will likely fail. it also highlights the value of therapy – the only process sensitive and safe enough to find and care for these hidden pockets of low-self esteem and worthlessness. approaches that try to ignore these places would serve clients better to take them into account.
insightful ideas Jay. i’ve always doubted the power of positive thinking as a fix all approach and your comment uncovered one of the reasons affirmations seemed like to surface of a solution,
Goes to show that words without meaning are just that- words. For people with low self esteem it is going to take a whole lot more than just positive words to turn their lives around. They have probably been living for years thinking all of these hateful and mean things about themselves. Why would any author think that simply repeating positive mantras is going to do anything lasting to change their minds?
Wow. It is about time that the research support what I have believed all-along. Affirmations are are just empty words for an individual with low-self esteem. It feels like one lying to oneself when saying a positive affirmation. They are empty words without meaning. They know the truth about themselves. First work on the belief structure and change the irrational belief; then maybe and only then will saying something repetitively positive about oneself will begin to take effect.
Self help books are designed to reach the widest possible audience. That’s the problem. One size doesn’t fit all. Generalities are no substitute for one to one therapy. Cookie cutter affirmations can’t replace the benefits of individual counseling.
Hmm.. I love the self help and positive inspirational books myself and I guess we can’t always believe they will help everyone. I would think positive affirmations would eventually help the ones with the low self esteem. Shannon got it right that if you don’t believe it… it’s more than likely not going to work.
I dont think everyone seeks therapy when life hits a hard patch. Very often we need inspiration. A book is a very non-judgemental, cost effective source of inspiration. I still remember reading a book wisdom for our times which inspired me and still does tremendously whenever I am in the dumps. I cant say if a self help book maybe beneficial but I dont think it has a deregatory impact.
I must confess to buying a lot of self-help books in the past but have found therapy work far more erfective than attempted self help. Perhaps the answer is a combination of therapy and self affirmation at the same time…
Although I do agree with the fact that affirmations can do more harm than good if not used correctly, and I also know how powerful an affirmation can be as long as you fully believe the things you are reminding and or telling yourself everyday.
I feel that as someone else said belief structures need to be worked on aswell for positive affirmations to work. People repating positive lines when they have a solid belief that they may not even know about will not help. I do think however that if one is aware of their belief strucutres and irrational beliefs, positive affirmations, if they truly mean what they are saying and arent just saying it, can definitely help improve self esteem.
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