Actual change, perceived change, and change goals in global and domain-specific self-esteem

This study examined actual change, perceived change, and change goals in global and domain-specific self-esteem and their adaptiveness for well-being. Data were drawn from five waves of the 8-year SELF study comprising 399 to 634 German adults per wave ( M age = 47.0, SD = 12.4 at intake). Participants generally expressed a desire to enhance their self-esteem, with substantial individual variability. Lower self-esteem predicted stronger change goals, and perceived changes were closely aligned with actual changes, particularly in performance self-esteem. Actual increases in self-esteem predicted higher life satisfaction and lower depressive symptoms, whereas change goals in some self-esteem domains were associated with lower well-being. Perceived increases were independently associated with adaptive outcomes, highlighting the importance of subjective self-evaluations alongside actual change.