SELF-ESTEEM INTERVENTION: SINGLE CLIENTì
This research assesses the effectiveness of an intervention ì
designed to improve the level of self-esteem of an adult person. ì
Behavioral system balance within a person is a manifestation of ì
successful adjustments and adaptations, even though observed ì
behavior may not appear to be consistent with accepted cultural ì
or biologic norms for healthy behavior (Fawcett, 1994, p. 192). ì
Living systems can and do operate at varying levels of ì
effectiveness and efficiency, but, to be able to operate at all, ì
some minimum level of balance, both internally and externally, ì
must be maintained. A behavioral system possess sufficient ì
flexibility to react effectively to usual variations in the ì
forces acting upon it, and it possess sufficient stress tolerance ì
to permit effective adjustment to many extreme variations in ì
these forces. There occur instances, however, when the stress ì
level reaches a point when balance in the behavioral system ì
temporarily or permanently is lost.ì
One psychological factor that impinges on a person's ì
behavioral system balance is low self-esteem. Low self-esteem ì
creates a potential for several outcomes for adult persons. ì
Specifically, job dissatisfaction has been found to be ì
significantly associated low self-esteem. Lower self-esteem ì
also has been associated with higher levels of stress ì
(Parasuraman and Alutto, 1984, pp. 24-33). Low self-esteem can ì
induce a "fear of failure" that in turn leads to "role conflict, ì
and the perceived consequences of occupational advancement and ì
= 6 á2 ìèincentive value associated with such expectations" (Abney and ì
Richey, 1991, p. 19). Hopelessness and depression often stems ì
from low self-esteem (Madonna, 1991, pp. 46-49). The loss of ì
self-esteem leads so...