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Self-Esteem and its Sources: Stability and Change in Later Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Peter G. Coleman ,
Christine Ivani-Chalian  and
Maureen Robinson
Maureen Robinson
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO9 4XY.
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Abstract

Stability and change in self-esteem and its reported sources were investigated in a sample of older people re-interviewed 10 and 13 years after initial study. Most indicated a continuing high to medium-high level of self-esteem, and apart from an increase in mention of interest activities their pattern of illustrations also remained consistent. Variables in the initial study which predicted a maintained high level of self-esteem included number of hobbies, number of types of outings, self perceived activity level, and mention of people other than family members as sources of self-esteem. The usefulness of collecting data on expressed sources is exemplified in two case histories. Consideration is given to the implications of these findings for conceptualising identity processes in later life.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , June 1993 , pp. 171 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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