Domains of Self-Esteem as Predictors of Life Satisfaction and Loneliness in Emerging Adults

Two studies were conducted examining domain specific self-esteem, as conceptualized by Harter (e.g., Neemann & Harter, 1983/2012), in conjunction with loneliness and life satisfaction among emerging adult college students. Participants in Study 1 selected the self-esteem domain they valued most and wrote narratives about a time they felt good and bad about that area. Themes were identified within the narrative domains and narrative characteristics were described. In Study 2, global self-esteem and relational self-esteem domains were examined in conjunction with social, family, and romantic loneliness and life satisfaction. Both relational and Higher global self-esteem was predictive of higher life satisfaction and lower social loneliness. Only greater romantic relationship selfesteem was predictive of lower romantic loneliness. Both greater global and parental relationship self-esteem were predictive of lower family loneliness. Overall, these results reiterate the importance of considering narrative formulation of self-esteem and the importance of domain specific self-esteem.