ABSTRACT
Self-esteem plays a key role in most formulations of psychopathological processes (Cooper, 1986) and in many models of therapeutic technique (Bednar, Wells, & Peterson, 1989). For several highly prevalent emotional disorders, such as depression and borderline personality, vulnerable self-esteem is a defining characteristic. For other disorders, such as narcissistic personality and eating disorders, fluctuations in self-esteem triggered by stressful interpersonal encounters prompt self-destructive behavior and maladaptive responses to others. We begin this brief chapter with an overview of the primary functions of self-esteem and the relevance of these functions to therapeutic efforts. We then illustrate how the dynamics of self-esteem are manifested in psychopathology through the lens of two emotional disorders, depression and narcissistic personality disorder. Next, we discuss how unconscious aspects of self-esteem pose a significant challenge to therapists. Finally, we offer daily process methodology as a promising way to examine self-esteem disturbances in emotional disorders and the therapeutic processes designed for their alleviation.
