How can nurses best manage the care of patients who are experiencing alterations in self-concept

Use this nursing diagnosis guide to help you create nursing interventions for your Situational Low Self-Esteem nursing care plan.

Self-esteem is defined as the way an individual thinks about himself or herself, and how good he or she feels. Positive self-esteem develops when a person feels good and capable of responding to challenges and stressors. Nevertheless, when a person exhibits mild to a remarkable shift in the view of himself or herself such as negativity about self, low self-esteem develops. Low self-esteem can reduce the quality of a person’s life in many different ways, including negative feelings, fear, relationship problems, or low resilience. This change in self-esteem is a temporary phase in response to feeling helpless to control the current situation.

  • Nursing Assessment for Situational Low Self-Esteem
  • Nursing Interventions for Situational Low Self-Esteem
  • Recommended Resources
  • See also
  • References and Sources

Nursing Assessment for Situational Low Self-Esteem

Gather your subjective and objective data in this nursing assessment guide for the nursing diagnosis Situational Low-Self Esteem:

AssessmentRationale
Invite the patient to record past and current achievements: emotional, social, interpersonal, intellectual, vocational, and physical. This approach is beneficial in presenting the patient with a more realistic view of his or her capabilities. Patients undergoing situational stress often lose sight of their past accomplishments in handling related circumstances.
Welcome statements the patient reveals about himself or herself. The feeling of being unloved, unworthy, and incompetent is often expressed by patients with low self-esteem. The patient often presents himself or herself unable to manage the current situation.
Encourage the patient to express if he or she is able to associate these changes to a specific event in his or her life. The patient may be knowledgeable of up-to-date situations that negatively change his or her self-concept.
Evaluate the degree to which the patient believes he or she is “in control” of his or her own behavior. Patients may be taken in a vicious cycle of behaviors intended to cover the primary self-esteem dilemma. The acting-out fosters a sense of unworthiness and undermines efforts to esteem-building.
Assess the patient’s feelings of comfort and content with his or her own performance. Patients with self-esteem issues may appear as though their actions are not in keeping with their own personal, moral, or ethical values; they may also deny these behaviors, project blame, and rationalize personal failure.
Assess for presence of unfinished grief. Ongoing grief may hinder the patient’s ability to move forward in life.
Evaluate recent variations in the patient’s behavior. Patients may be able to compensate for low-esteem through exceptional performance in work or areas of special interest while still having dilemmas with how he or she envisions self. Some patients may withdraw from engagement in work or family situations in an attempt to lessen the impact of the situation of self-esteem. Low self-esteem will not be fixed without weighing these issues into the care plan.
Evaluate the extent to which the patient feels loved and respected by others. Lack of recognition of achievements or rejection by others may contribute to feelings of unworthiness. Care and support by others will be essential in developing the patient’s self-esteem.
Assess how competent patients feel about their ability to perform and carry out their own and others’ expectations. The patient may have developed the ability to carry out personal responsibilities despite low self-esteem. This may be a positive indicator of the patient’s potential for successful improvement of self-esteem.

Nursing Interventions for Situational Low Self-Esteem

The following are the therapeutic nursing interventions for Situational Low Self-Esteem nursing diagnosis:


Nursing InterventionsRationale
Act as a role model for the patient or significant others in healthy expression of feelings or concerns. Assume responsibility for own thoughts and actions by using “I think” language in conversations. Patients may want an example of positive measures to display feelings. Self-awareness enables the nurse to show authentic behavior.
Present an environment favorable to the expression of feelings:
  • Spend time with the patient; set aside enough time so that the encounter is calm and deliberate.
Having enough time for the patient conveys the nurse’s interest in and acceptance of the patient’s feelings. A trusting relationship is an important factor in building self-esteem.
  • Provide privacy.
Private discussions need to take place in a setting where the patient is free to express feelings without being overheard.
  • Apply active listening and open-ended questions.
These communication methods permit the patient to verbalize interests, concerns, worries, and thoughts without interruption. This technique will convey a sense of respect for the patient’s abilities and strengths in addition to recognizing problems and concerns.
Consider the “normal” impact of change on self-esteem. Reassure the patient that such modifications often occur in a variety of emotional or behavioral responses. Disturbances in self-esteem are natural responses to important changes. Reconstitution of the patient’s self-esteem occurs as part of the patient’s adjustment to change.
Support the patient in his or her attempts to secure autonomy, reality, positive self-esteem, sense of capability, and problem-solving. The patient needs continuous positive feedback and support to manage behaviors to promote self-esteem. The patient will benefit from feedback that provides a realistic appraisal of his or her development and strengthens the effective change made by the patient.
Give anticipatory direction to reduce anxiety and fear if interference in self-esteem is an expected part of the process of adjustment to changes in health status. The patient requires a view that places the change in self-esteem within the context of the normal recuperative process.
Educate the patient to join in activities anticipated to result in healthy self-esteem. The patient needs to explore options to improve self-esteem by substituting negative behaviors with positive actions.
Present referral information about community resources, self-help groups, and professional counseling. Professional and community sources of support provide the patient with more resources to sustain the work of rebuilding positive self-esteem.
Educate the patient about the harmful effects of negative self-talk. Recognition of unfavorable thoughts can lift the patient to develop new techniques for coping. The patient must replace negative beliefs and ideas with positive thoughts about self.

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

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  • Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
    An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use.
  • Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
    A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively.
  • NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
    The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
    Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
    Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  • Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
    Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans.
  • Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
    If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
    An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023.
  • All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
    Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.

See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

  • Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
    Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
    Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.

References and Sources

Additional references and recommended reading for the Situational Low Self-Esteem nursing diagnosis: 

  • Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Msn, R. N., Makic, M. B. F., Martinez-Kratz, M., & Zanotti, M. (2019). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook E-Book: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care. Mosby. [Link]
  • Carpenito-Moyet, L. J. (2006). Handbook of nursing diagnosis. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Link]
  • Crocker, J. (1999). Social stigma and self-esteem: Situational construction of self-worth. Journal of experimental social psychology, 35(1), 89-107. [Link]
  • de Castro, N. B., de O Lopes, M. V., Monteiro, A. R. M., Diniz, C. M., Martins, L. C., de L Ferreira, G., & de Sousa, A. E. A. (2021). Unidimensional analysis of the nursing diagnoses of situational low self-esteem and chronic low self-esteem. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 57(4), 1950-1959.
  • Fisher, M. E., Moxham, P. A., & Bradshaw, B. W. (1989). U.S. Patent No. 4,813,422. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. [Link]
  • Melo, M. D. M., Queiroz, C. G., Freitas, L. S., Silva, I. P. D., Xavier, S. S. D. M., & Costa, I. K. F. (2019). Situational low self-esteem nursing diagnosis in people with an ostomy: a diagnostic accuracy study. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 53.
  • Urden, L. D., Stacy, K. M., & Lough, M. E. (2006). Thelan’s critical care nursing: diagnosis and management (pp. 918-966). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby.

Gil Wayne graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science in nursing. He earned his license to practice as a registered nurse during the same year. His drive for educating people stemmed from working as a community health nurse. He conducted first aid training and health seminars and workshops for teachers, community members, and local groups. Wanting to reach a bigger audience in teaching, he is now a writer and contributor for Nurseslabs since 2012 while working part-time as a nurse instructor. His goal is to expand his horizon in nursing-related topics. He wants to guide the next generation of nurses to achieve their goals and empower the nursing profession.

How a nurse can influence for a person's self

The nurse should attend to the client's verbal and nonverbal clues when discussing self-concept, personality, body image, self-esteem, or role changes. Determining the client's strengths to better understand the person's ability to form relationships, care for self, and adapt to stressors is also important.

Why self

A broad knowledge base allows nurses to have a holistic view of patients, thus promoting quality patient care that best meets the self-concept needs of each patient and family. Understanding a patient's self-concept is a necessary part of all nursing care (Stuart, 2009).

How can nurses improve patient self

Educate the patient to join in activities anticipated to result in healthy self-esteem. The patient needs to explore options to improve self-esteem by substituting negative behaviors with positive actions. Present referral information about community resources, self-help groups, and professional counseling.

What advice would you give someone to improve her self

There are a number of ways in which you can improve your self-esteem..
Identify and Challenge Your Negative Beliefs. ... .
Identify the Positive About Yourself. ... .
Build Positive Relationships—and Avoid Negative Ones. ... .
Give Yourself a Break. ... .
Become More Assertive and Learn to Say No. ... .
Improve Your Physical Health. ... .
Take On Challenges..