TARGET ARTICLE: Toward a Conceptualization of Optimal Self-Esteem

In this article, I present a theoretical perspective on the nature of “optimal ” self-es-teem. One of my major goals is to show that optimal and high self-esteem are different from each other. High self-esteem can be fragile or secure depending upon the extent to which it is defensive or genuine, contingent or true, unstable or stable, and discrep-ant or congruent with implicit (nonconscious) feelings of self-worth. Optimal self-es-teem is characterized by qualities associated with genuine, true, stable, and congruent (with implicit self-esteem) high self-esteem. A second major goal is to present a con-ceptualization of the construct of authenticity. I propose that authenticity as an indi-vidual difference construct may be particularly important in delineating the adaptive features of optimal self-esteem. Authenticity can be characterized as the unobstructed operation of one’s true, or core, self in one’s daily enterprise. I argue that authenticity has 4 components: awareness, unbiased processing, action, and relational. Initial data pertaining to these components are highly encouraging. Finally, I discuss some implications of the fragile versus secure high self-esteem distinction for narcissism, defensive processing models, and cross-cultural self-esteem perspectives.