SELF ESTEEM ASSESSMENT

DIRECTIONS: For the statements below, circle the rating which is most true of your level you exhibit these behaviors in your life. Use the following rating scale:

1 = never
2 = rarely
3 = sometimes
4 = frequently
5 = almost always

1) I seek approval and affirmation from others, and I am afraid of criticism.     1 2 3 4 5

2) I guess at what normal behavior is, and I usually feel as if I am different from other people.     1 2 3 4 5

3) I isolate myself from and am afraid of people in authority roles.     1 2 3 4 5

4) I am not able to appreciate my own accomplishments and good deeds.     1 2 3 4 5

5) I tend to have difficulty following a project through from beginning to end.     1 2 3 4 5

6) I get frightened or stressed when I am in the company of an angry person.     1 2 3 4 5

7) In order to avoid a conflict, I find it easier to lie than tell the truth.     1 2 3 4 5

8) I have problems with my own compulsive behavior, e.g., drinking, drug use gambling, overeating, smoking, use of sex, shopping, etc.     1 2 3 4 5

9) I judge myself without mercy. I am my own worst critic, and I am harder on myself than I am on others.     1 2 3 4 5

10) I feel more alive in the midst of a crisis, and I am uneasy when my life is going smoothly; I am continually anticipating problems.     1 2 3 4 5

11) I have difficulty having fun. I don’t seem to know how to play for fun and relaxation.     1 2 3 4 5

12) I am attracted to others whom I perceive to have been victims, and I develop close relationships with them. In this way I confuse love with pity, and I love people I can pity and rescue.     1 2 3 4 5

13) I need perfection in my life at home and work and I expect perfection from others in my life.     1 2 3 4 5

14) I seek out novelty, excitement, and the challenge of newness in my life with little concern given to the consequences of such action.     1 2 3 4 5

15) I take myself very seriously, and I view all of my relationships just as seriously.     1 2 3 4 5

16) I have problems developing and maintaining intimate relationships.     1 2 3 4 5

17) I feel guilty when I stand up for myself or take care of my needs first, instead give in or taking care of others’ needs first.     1 2 3 4 5

18) I seek and/or attract people who have compulsive behaviors (e.g., alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, shopping, sex, smoking, overworking, or seeking excitement).     1 2 3 4 5

19) I feel responsible for others and find it easier to have concern for others than for myself.     1 2 3 4 5

20) I am loyal to people for whom I care, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved.     1 2 3 4 5

21) I cling to and will do anything to hold on to relationships because I am afraid of being alone and fearful of being abandoned.     1 2 3 4 5

22) I am impulsive and act too quickly, before considering alternative actions or possible consequences.     1 2 3 4 5

23) I have difficulty in being able to feel or to express feelings; I feel out of touch with my feelings.     1 2 3 4 5

24) I mistrust my feelings and the feelings expressed by others.     1 2 3 4 5

25) I isolate myself from other people, and I am initially shy and withdrawn in new social settings.     1 2 3 4 5

26) I feel that I am being taken advantage of by individuals and society in general; I often feel victimized.     1 2 3 4 5

27) I can be overly responsible much of the time, but I can be extremely irresponsible at other times.     1 2 3 4 5

28) I feel confused and angry at myself and not in control of my environment or my life when the stresses are great.     1 2 3 4 5

29) I spend a lot of time and energy rectifying or cleaning up my messes and the negative consequences of ill-thought-out or impulsive actions for which I am responsible.     1 2 3 4 5

30) I deny that my current problems stem from my past life. I deny that I have stuffed-in feelings from the past which are impeding my current life.     1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE
SCORING AND INTERPRETATION
Add the ratings circled. This score indicates the degree to which you are affected by low self-esteem.

SCORE INTERPRETATION
0 – 30: Not affected by low self-esteem.
31 – 45: Traces of low self-esteem. Take preventive action to reduce its impact on your life.
46 – 61: Presence of mild low self-esteem in your life. Take steps to treat this.
62 – 90: Presence of moderate low self-esteem. Take steps to treat this as soon as possible.
91 – 120: Presence of severe low self-esteem. Take steps to treat this immediately.
121 – 150: Presence of profound low self-esteem. Take immediate step to treat this and seek out professional help to assist you in this process.