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Archives of Assessment Psychology

Abstract

Self-esteem is a fundamental psychological construct that develops across the lifespan and influences academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Research consistently links healthy self-esteem with positive developmental outcomes, including improved educational achievement, stronger interpersonal relationships, and better mental health. At the same time, emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are associated with persistent emotional, behavioral, academic, and social difficulties that can interfere with healthy self-development. This paper reviews the developmental trajectory of self-esteem from early childhood through adulthood and examines how the experiences commonly associated with EBD may negatively affect that trajectory. The review discusses how children begin forming self-esteem at an early age and how self-esteem becomes increasingly shaped by social comparison, external evaluation, and life experiences across development. Students with EBD frequently experience academic failure, peer rejection, exclusionary discipline, emotional dysregulation, and impaired social relationships, all of which may undermine the development of healthy self-esteem. During adolescence and emerging adulthood, these challenges may intensify as individuals face additional stressors related to identity formation, education, employment, and social integration. The paper argues that individuals with EBD may demonstrate flatter or persistently low self-esteem trajectories compared with the general population.

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