Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan

Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plans Diagnosis and Interventions

Situational Low Self Esteem NCLEX Review and Nursing Care Plans

Self-esteem is described as an individual’s perception of oneself and how well he or she believes about himself or herself. When people feel refined and capable of reacting to difficulties and pressures, they develop positive self-esteem.

On the other hand, situational low self-esteem pertains to having a wrong impression of oneself due to changes in one’s circumstances, such as losing physical parts or functional capacity.

Low self-esteem is frequently caused by actual or predicted changes in lifestyle, stress, unpleasant sentiments, relationship problems, low resilience, or condemnation by others.

Negative sentiments regarding one’s body, focusing on prior abilities, function, or looks, feeling of powerlessness, preoccupation with losing circumstance or bodily part, and alleged changes in the typical patterns of physical or series of responsibilities can also result in situational low self-esteem.

• Trauma, such as sexual abuse and psychological or seeing threatening occurrences.
• Tensions related to the influence or roles of the expected position in which the person is frustrated.

Signs and Symptoms of Situational Low Self-Esteem

• Making negative comments and being judgmental of oneself
• Self-loathing humor
• Concentrating on the negatives while neglecting one’s accomplishments
• Blaming oneself or others when things do not go their way
• comparing oneself with others
• Depriving oneself the opportunity to enjoy life
• Refusing to acknowledge compliments
• Rejecting challenges due to worry of failure
• Being greatly irritated by criticism or disapproval
• Extreme sadness, depression, nervous breakdown, feeling humiliated, furious, or worthless feelings
• Having problems making friends
• Lack of interest and motivation
• Rejecting new experiences and failing to seize possibilities
• Feeling rejected and unwelcome

Causes of Situational Low Self-Esteem

Some of the many possible causes of situational low self-esteem include:

• Terrible childhood in which parents (or other significant figures such as teachers) were overly critical
• Inadequate academic achievement at school leads to a lack of confidence.
• A continuing potentially stressful situation, such as a romantic breakup or financial difficulty
• Poor treatment by a partner, parent, or caregiver, such as being in an unhealthy relationship
• Chronic pain, primary disease, or physical handicap or ongoing medical issues.
• Anxiety disorders and depression are examples of mental illnesses that could also lead to low self-esteem.

Related Factors to Situational Self-Esteem

Self-esteem can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

• Age. Based on research, self-esteem rises from adolescence through middle age. According to an American study, self-esteem peaks at the age of 60. As people get older, their self-esteem plummets, especially among seniors over 60. Changes in socioeconomic position and physical health could explain a large portion of this reduction.
• Body Type. Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be bullied. These children are more prone to depression as children and later in life. Low self-esteem can also be exacerbated by isolation and loneliness.
• Gender. Women are more likely to have lower self-esteem than men throughout cultures. This phenomenon appears to be especially noticeable in Western societies.
• Mental health status. Self-esteem among adults with mental health disorders was explored in a 2012 study. Higher self-esteem levels have been associated with humor, community engagement, and favorable ingroup stereotypes. People who kept their conditions hidden or worked hard to disprove negative preconceptions had situational low self-esteem.
• Race and ethnicity. A 2011 research of high school students looked at disparities in self-esteem between ethnic and racial groupings. Asian-American kids had the most negligible levels of self-esteem in the survey. Hispanic pupils scored slightly better than white students. African American kids exhibited the highest levels of self-esteem. These data points correspond to the findings of previous studies.
• Socioeconomic status. In 2017, a study looked at self-esteem in seventh-graders from low-income homes. Years later, students who thought American society was “fair” were more likely to have low self-esteem. During middle school, most kids faced discrimination and systematic obstacles.

Diagnosis of Situational Low Self-esteem

There is no commonly approved test or technique for detecting low self-esteem. However, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) has been frequently employed to measure low self-esteem since it was established in 1965.

Treatment for Situational Low Self-esteem

Various psychosocial interventions that target poor self-esteem or self-criticism have been created. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Competitive Memory Training (COMET), and Compassion-oriented Treatment (CFT) are a few examples. They are practical kinds of treatment. There is also a considerable similarity with psychosocial interventions for depression.

Effective CBT for low self-esteem includes the following components:

• Identifying fundamental beliefs
• Identifying rules for living
• Creating healthier and more adaptable rules and beliefs
• Utilizing behavioral experiments
• Confronting personal worries and anxiety-inducing situations
• Self-compassion replaces self-criticism
• Living according to the new basic principles

Thus, since many individuals who struggle with low self-esteem have a distorted internal narrative, learning to trust a therapist can help improve patients’ negative thoughts.

A therapist’s rational thinking, acknowledgment, and lack of bias create a safe environment where the patient can understand that others accept him or her. In this sense, the therapeutic practice functions as a form of exposure treatment comparable to the strategy employed with patients suffering from diseases such as agoraphobia.

Nursing Considerations for Situational Low Self-Esteem

• Make use of active listening. When patients have a situational low self-esteem, they frequently believe that no one is paying attention to them or is interested in what they have to express. When healthcare practitioners hurry through discussions and neglect to notice their patients’ complaints, it can undermine their respect and make them less likely to rely upon their nurse or other healthcare team members at some point. Active listening can also make patients feel more assured. This approach demands the nurses to pay close attention to patients, listen attentively, reaffirm their statements, and respond. Here are a few examples of active listening:
  • Continue to make eye contact.
  • Face the patient when sitting or standing.
  • Smile when appropriate.
  • Stay away from distractions.
  • Pose pertinent questions.
  • Use nods or verbal affirmations
  • Restate a summary of their remarks.
  • Create a natural nurse-patient relationship. The nurse must make patients feel at ease to increase their self-esteem. One way to accomplish this is to establish a friendly conversation beyond discussions about their health and treatment. Moreover, ask them questions about their families, pets, profession, and interests, or offer sincere praise to engage the patient. Find common ground, such as a similar passion, to create a connection and earn their trust. Authentic interest boosts patients’ confidence and dramatically improves the entire patient experience. When treating apprehensive patients or having needle phobia, building a relationship might be an effective diversion tool. Patients will feel safer and more at peace if the conversation is diverted away from any upcoming treatments.
  • Involve patients in the establishment of their treatment regimen. Involving patients in developing their treatment regimen is one of the most effective ways to boost patient self-esteem, generate better results, and raise positive patient outcomes. One of the pillars of patient-centered care is integrated care plans. Begin by educating the patient and authorized loved ones about their disease and providing them with all the information needed to make an appropriate judgment. Thus, inquire about their choices and make sure the treatment plan fits their beliefs, views, and culture. The more collaborative the approach is, the more the patient engages in it, and the more motivated they will feel to follow it.

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Diagnosis

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plan 1

  Amputation

  Nursing Diagnosis: Situational Low Self-Esteem related to the loss of a part of the body or a shift in functional capacity secondary to amputation as evidenced by anticipated lifestyle adjustments, fear of criticism, unpleasant sentiments about the body, an emphasis on past strength, efficiency, or appearance, and feelings of failure or helplessness

  • The client will begin to adapt and verbalize acceptance of himself in the situation (amputee).
  • Patients will accurately recognize and incorporate changes into self-concept without undermining self-esteem.
  • Patients will create realistic plans for adjusting to new responsibilities or role changes.

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plan 2

  Nursing Diagnosis: Situational Low Self-Esteem related to the sense of being uncontrollable, changes in social roles, abandonment feelings, and unpredictable behavior secondary to seizure disorder as evidenced by changes in one’s self-perception of one’s role, a shift in the typical patterns of responsibilities, noncompliance or lack of participation in therapy, and expressions of powerlessness.

  • The patient will discover feelings and coping strategies for dealing with a negative self-perception.
  • The patient will have an elevated sense of self-esteem concerning the diagnosis.
  • The patient will express a realistic perspective and appreciation of himself in a new role or way of life.
  • The patient will have a favorable opinion of himself.

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plan 3

  Menopause

  Nursing Diagnosis: Situational Low Self-Esteem related to biophysical variables, a reduction in reproductive capacity, and hormonal imbalances secondary to menopause as evidenced by self-deprecating utterances, expressions of self-worth loss, hot flushes, expressions of regret, despair, anxiousness, and sleeplessness.

  • During menopausal adjustment, the patient will have less frustration, worry, nervousness, and an increased sense of self-worth.
  • The patient will have more self-esteem and self-worth.
  • The patient’s uneasiness and tension will be lessened.
  • The patient will be able to express concerns and build a trusting relationship with the caregiver.

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plan 4

  Prenatal Substance Dependence

  Nursing Diagnosis: Situational Low Self-Esteem related to biochemical transformation, and maternal crisis accompanied by a lack of control over life circumstances secondary to prenatal substance dependence as evidenced by confusion regarding one’s identity, purpose, or life path, and denial that there is a problem with substance abuse.

  • The client will discover feelings and coping mechanisms for a negative self-perception.
  • The client will express verbal acceptance of self “as is” and a greater sense of value.
  • The client will develop goals and engage in practical planning for lifestyle adjustments required to live without medicines and produce the intended pregnancy outcome.

  Situational Low Self Esteem Nursing Care Plan 5

  Perinatal Loss

  Nursing Diagnosis: Situational loss of self-esteem related to failure to succeed in a life event secondary to perinatal loss as evidenced by negative thoughts regarding oneself are expressed verbally, a negative self-evaluation in response to a life event, and difficulty making appropriate decisions.

  • The patient shows adaptation to newborn death and acceptance of bereavement into daily life by making plans for the future.
  • The patient discovers his or her strengths and accessible resources.
  • The patient feels pleased with himself.

  Nursing References

  Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Makic, M. B., Martinez-Kratz, M. R., & Zanotti, M. (2020). Nursing diagnoses handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

  Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. L. (2022). Nursing care plans: Diagnoses, interventions, & outcomes. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

  Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, M. L., Rebar, C. R., & Heimgartner, N. M. (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts for interprofessional collaborative care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

  Silvestri, L. A. (2020). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

  Disclaimer:

  Please follow your facilities guidelines, policies, and procedures.

  The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.

  This information is intended to be nursing education and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

  Anna Curran. RN-BC, BSN, PHN, CMSRN I am a Critical Care ER nurse. I have been in this field for over 30 years. I also began teaching BSN and LVN students and found that by writing additional study guides helped their knowledge base, especially when it was time to take the NCLEX examinations.