Changes In Self-esteem Research Articles

Does insecurity lead to Envy? The longitudinal interplay between dispositional envy and Self-Esteem

Despite evidence of a close, cross-sectional association between dispositional envy and low self-esteem, there is no research on the mutual development of these two constructs across time. The aim of the present research was to systematically investigate correlated change and prospective effects between dispositional envy and self-esteem at the global level and within comparison domains. In two preregistered longitudinal studies across 6 years (Ntotal > 7,000 adult participants), change in dispositional envy was negatively correlated with concurrent self-esteem change at the global level and within domains. Moreover, we found preliminary evidence that self-esteem predicted later change in dispositional envy but not vice versa. Our findings illustrate that the development of dispositional envy is closely intertwined with self-esteem development.

Making Life Choices: An Evaluation of a University-Based Identity Intervention Program

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the evaluation of a university-based identity intervention program aimed at helping college students identify and resolve their unique identity issues. The intervention is delivered as a personal growth psychology course that is entirely online and asynchronous, and it is rooted in Erikson’s theory of life-span development. Still, it borrows heavily from the influences of existentialism, critical theory and pragmatism. Intervention outcomes from 2015 through 2023 (N = 984) are evaluated. Improvements in identity exploration and commitment were related to decreased identity distress and positive changes in self-esteem, purpose in life, locus of control, self-actualization, and ego strength. The intervention was partially based on the premise that encouraging the value of accepting personal agency and taking responsibility for one’s life would foster positive change. Improvements in feelings of control and responsibility were associated with positive movement in stages of change. Further analyses and their implications are discussed.

Self-Esteem and Sexual Experiences.

There is evidence that people with higher self-esteem tend to have more satisfying sexual relationships, but little is known about how changes in people's self-esteem and sexual experiences are related over time. Several theories predict reciprocal effects between self-esteem and sexual experiences. The present study tested these theories using 12-wave longitudinal data from more than 11,000 participants of a representative sample in Germany. Data were analyzed using Random Intercept Cross-lagged Panel Models. Results indicated significant between-person associations between stable levels of self-esteem and both the frequency and the quality of sexual experiences. Moreover, we found reciprocal within-person transactions between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction but not sexual frequency. Overall, the present pattern of results provides evidence for theories that consider self-esteem as both a source and consequence of intimate sexual relationships.

Relations between changes in safety behavior, paranoid ideations, cognitive biases, and clinical characteristics of patients with a psychotic disorder over time

BackgroundSafety behaviors, both positive (maladaptive coping behavior) and negative (avoidance behavior), are used by people with paranoid delusions to avoid perceived threats. Safety behaviors contribute to the persistence of paranoid delusions by preventing disconfirmation of threat beliefs and may influence other psychiatric symptoms. This study investigated how changes in safety behaviors are related to changes in paranoid ideation, social anxiety, depression, cognitive biases and self-esteem over time. MethodsThis study included 116 patients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (DSM-IV) and at least moderate levels of paranoid ideations (GTPS >40).The data were collected as part of a multi-center randomized controlled trial where patients were randomized to VR-CBT (n = 58) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 58). Assessments were completed at baseline (T0), after three months (T3) and after six months (T6). For all variables, change scores between T0 and T3 and T3 and T6 were calculated and Pearson correlations between change scores were computed. ResultsA decrease in total safety behavior was related to diminished paranoid ideation, social anxiety, and depression. No significant temporal associations were found between changes in safety behavior and changes in cognitive biases and self-esteem. Similar but less robust results were found for respectively negative safety behavior and positive safety behavior. ConclusionDropping safety behavior can be specifically targeted in behavioral interventions. Whereas there appears to be a relation with reduction in anxiety, paranoia, and depressive symptoms, changes in safety behavior do not seem to align with changes in cognitive thinking processes.

Psychological status of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion undergoing bimaxillary surgery: A comparative study.

Skeletal Class III malocclusion can significantly impact psychological well-being. Although bimaxillary surgery is a well-established corrective intervention, its psychological effects are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate changes in self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and social appearance anxiety following surgery to inform targeted nursing interventions for psychological adaptation. This comparative study included 205 participants: 150 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent bimaxillary surgery, and a control group of 55 individuals without malocclusion. The malocclusion group had a mean age of 21.99 ± 2.28 years (96 males, 109 females). The control group consisted of department interns with Class I occlusion, normal overjet and overbite, and typical facial appearance, with a mean age of 21.61 ± 2.40 years (26 males, 29 females). Psychological assessments, validated for reliability, measured self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and social appearance anxiety before and after surgery. Statistical analyses, including independent sample t tests and one-way ANOVA, were performed to compare outcomes between the groups, with a significance level set at P < .05. Preoperative assessments revealed that patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion had significantly lower self-esteem and higher sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety compared to the control group (P < .05). Postoperatively, there were modest improvements in self-esteem and significant reductions in sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety, though levels of social appearance anxiety remained higher than those in the control group (P < .05). No significant differences in self-esteem and sensitivity to criticism were observed between the surgical and control groups postoperatively (P > .05). Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in all measures after surgery (P < .05). Bimaxillary surgery positively affects the psychological well-being of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, enhancing self-esteem and reducing sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety. However, some psychological concerns persist, indicating a need for targeted nursing interventions to further support these patients' psychological well-being.

Does academic motivation contribute to the self-esteem of students at the graduate level? A case study of universities in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study explored the impact of students' academic motivation on self-esteem at the graduate level. The respondents of this study were 375 university students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (BS) program in nine disciplines from all four public sector universities in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two standardized questionnaires, i.e., the Academic Motivation Scale, a tool consisting of 28 items for measuring academic motivation, and Rosenberg's Scale for measuring self-esteem, consisting of 10 items that measure self-respect by assessing both positive and negative emotional states about the self, were used. In light of the objectives and hypotheses, mean, and standard deviation (SD) were used to find out the level of academic motivation and self-esteem of the students. Linear regression was applied to find out the impact of students' academic motivation on their self-esteem. Moreover, an independent t-test was used to explore the difference in academic motivation and self-esteem between male and female students. There was no significant difference in the academic motivation and self-esteem of the students at the graduate level. The results showed that the university students at the graduate level had a high level of academic motivation and self-esteem. A unit change in overall academic motivation, knowledge, and stimulation parts of intrinsic motivation and identified and external regulation of extrinsic motivation bring 0.678, 0.218, 0.223, 0.122 and 0.172 change in self-esteem, respectively, while the constructs i.e., accomplishment (intrinsic motivation), introjected (extrinsic motivation), and amotivation are non-significant as p &amp;gt; 0.05.

Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa

Despite the existence of effective treatments, many individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) do not receive evidence-based therapies. Integrating digital interventions into routine care might reach more patients and reduce the clinical burden of BN. To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention for individuals with BN. A 2-group randomized clinical trial without follow-up was conducted between February 2, 2021, and July 9, 2022, in Germany. Participants aged between 18 and 65 years who met the diagnostic criteria for BN were enrolled online via self-referral. Data analyses were conducted from October 24, 2022, to December 23, 2023. A web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention including 12 weekly modules was compared with a waiting-list control group only having access to routine care. The primary outcome was the change in the number of bulimic episodes between baseline and posttreatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in global eating disorder symptoms, clinical impairment, well-being, work capacity, comorbid symptoms, self-esteem, and emotion regulation complemented by weekly measures and ecological momentary assessment. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Participants (N = 154; mean [SD] age, 29.6 [8.6] years; 149 [96.8%] female) receiving the web-based intervention demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in bulimic episodes compared with the control group (Cohen d = -0.48; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.20; P < .001), representing a significant change in binge-eating episodes (Cohen d = -0.61; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.33; P < .001), but not in compensatory behaviors (Cohen d = -0.25; 95% CI, -0.51 to 0.02; P = .21). The intervention was superior in improving global eating disorder symptoms (Cohen d = -0.61; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.32; P < .001) and clinical impairment (Cohen d = -0.62; 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.33; P < .001). No significant effects were found for well-being (Cohen d = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.37 to 0.22; P > .99) and work capacity (Cohen d = -0.01; 95% CI, -0.68 to 0.66; P = .99). Exploratory analyses indicated significant changes in self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties, but not in comorbid symptoms. In this randomized clinical trial, a web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention effectively decreased eating disorder symptoms and illness-related burden in individuals with BN, underlining the potential of digital interventions to complement established treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04876196.

Self-esteem Changes of Third Culture Kids When Havruta Discussion Reading Therapy Classes Were Applied

Abstract Background: Cultural attachments among third culture kids (TCKs) are indefinite because of frequent encounters with different cultural environments. This study was concerned with the changes in the self-esteem of TCKs when havruta discussion reading therapy classes were conducted. Methods: This study used an experimental design. Two international schools in the Philippines were selected, and 26 students aged 13–18 years were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. A scale reconstructed by Ga Yeon (1993) was used to measure the respondents’ self-esteem. Results: The results indicated that the havruta program positively impacted TCKs’ self-esteem, especially at the overall and social levels. Both groups showed no significant differences in overall social, family, and school self-esteem rankings. Conclusion: The findings of this study have implications for education, stakeholders, and future researchers seeking to address the needs of TCKs.

Exploring nursing student self-esteem change and its predictors: Cohort study and its methodological challenges

ObjectiveConsidering methodological difficulties and inconsistent results of previous studies on it, the objective was to describe the change in nursing student self-esteem over time and its predictors, using a sound theoretical framework and relevant tools to measure and analyse the data. MethodCohort study. Self-esteem and related factors were assessed in nursing students in a 4-year bachelor’s program at the beginning of each academic year from 2017 to 2019 and at the end of the academic year in May 2020, using he revised version of Self-liking/Self-competence scale of Tafarodi and Swann. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed via generalized linear mixed modelling. ResultsSelf-esteem was moderate at the beginning of the program: 50.40 (9.10). It increased slightly over time: 51.15 (9.11) at T1; 51.64 (0.49) at T2; and 51.39 (10.79) at T3 (P = .002). Baseline variables that predicted self-esteem change were gender, secondary school graduation level, state anxiety, intent to continue, and self-efficacy. Assessing and improving those last variables via a strong career plan could boost student achievement and increase retention during and after training. ConclusionNursing student self-esteem can be assessed using a bidimensional model, with a two-factor scale like Tafarodi & Swann’s self-liking/self-competence scale. Generalized linear mixed model is a useful way to correlate large sets of longitudinal data.

Revisiting Black Americans' self-protective strategies: The effect of negative intelligence feedback on implicit (vs. explicit) self-esteem.

Black Americans use identity-based self-protective strategies to maintain their explicit self-esteem after a threat to their intelligence. This effect is consistent with the associative-propositional evaluation (APE) model, which suggests that self-protective strategies operate during a propositional process that results in no change in explicit self-esteem. However, the APE model also suggests that implicit self-esteem may be sensitive to an intelligence threat because it increases the accessibility of automatically activated evaluations about Black Americans, namely the stereotype that their group is unintelligent. These hypotheses are tested across two experiments. Black American participants across both experiments (Experiment 1: N = 57; 40 females, Mage = 21.60; Experiment 2: N = 79; 64 females, Mage = 24.86) completed an intelligence test, then were randomly assigned to receive either negative feedback about their performance or no-feedback. Participants then completed measures of implicit and explicit self-esteem. Participants in Experiment 2 also completed a measure of subjective identity centrality. In support of the hypotheses, Black American participants across both experiments who received negative performance feedback on an intelligence test exhibited lower implicit self-esteem compared to those who did not receive feedback. Experiment 2 further demonstrated that this effect emerged only among strongly identified Black American participants. Finally, and consistent with past research, explicit self-esteem was unaffected by negative performance feedback among all participants. This research demonstrates the boundary conditions of Black Americans' adoption of identity-based self-protective strategies to protect their implicit versus explicit self-esteem following an intelligence threat. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

변증법적행동치료 기술을 적용한 무용동작치료 프로그램이 학교 부적응 청소년의 자아존중감 향상에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to examine qualitative changes in self-esteem and movement of research participants by providing a dance movement program applying dialectical behavior therapy techniques to school maladjusted adolescents. 12 first-year middle school students from Suwon were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 6 students in each group. A short-term program was implemented twice a week for a total of 8 sessions. The program of this study applies the common factor of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which use a body-based therapeutic approach. The research question analyzed self-esteem and its subfactors, and a movement observation analysis was conducted accordingly to examine qualitative changes in the movements of the experimental group. As a result of the study, first, the dance movement therapy program applying dialectical behavior therapy techniques had a positive effect on improving the self-esteem of School maladjusted adolescents. Second, changes in movement showed improved social skills. This study has confirmed that a positive impact on the self-esteem of School-maladjusted adolescents, and it is hoped that future research will be encouraged using different treatment methods.

청소년기 그릿의 잠재집단 분류와 학습자 특성의 예측

The purpose of this study was to examine the number of latent groups and the outcomes of latent group-specific predictor variables and outcome variables according to the development of grit during adolescence (from 8th grade to 12th grade), and to derive implications for the school curriculum. The study analyzed data from 1,624 participants (51.7% male, 48.3% female) over a period of four years from the second (2018) to the third (2021) wave of the Daegu Education Longitudinal Study. The results of the study are as follows: Firstly, grit showed a quadratic developmental trajectory, and latent groups were classified into two based on changes in grit: “high-level maintenance-increasing type” and “low-level maintenance-decreasing type”. Secondly, in terms of the predictability of learner characteristics by latent group based on changes in grit, self-esteem, career maturity, morality, creativity, and sociability were all more likely to belong to the “high-level maintenance-increasing type” group than the “low-level maintenance-decreasing type” group. Based on the research findings, implications for educational curriculum to enhance grit during adolescence were discussed.

My avatar makes me feel good? The effect of avatar personalisation and virtual agent interactions on self-esteem

ABSTRACT The theory of Objective Self-Awareness (OSA) and related studies suggest that embodiment of personalised avatars may induce self-awareness and influence self-esteem. Additionally, the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) paradigm suggests that humans may mindlessly respond to computers in ways that are similar to human interactions. Based on those assertions, it is plausible that virtual embodiment of a personalised avatar and interactions with a virtual agent can shift self-esteem. However, those effects on self-esteem have not been thoroughly examined in past studies. To address these research gaps, a 2 (avatar personalisation: personalised vs. non-personalised avatar) × 2 (virtual agent interaction valence: positive vs. negative) between-subjects experiment was conducted using a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation (N =171). Findings from the study showed that there was no effects of avatar personalisation and virtual agent interaction valence on state self-esteem change. However, the pairwise comparisons present some preliminary indications that avatar personalisation and positive interactions with a virtual agent may facilitate improvements in state self-esteem altogether. Implications of the study findings are discussed.

QOL-09. EQUI AND HIPPO: A STUDY ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF HORSE THERAPY FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN REMISSION FROM A MEDULLOBLASTOMA

Abstract INTRODUCTION Psycho-social and motor disorders are common long-term sequalae in patients treated for a medulloblastoma during childhood. They often require long-term, multidisciplinary rehabilitation and post-therapeutic care that can be difficult to maintain over time. To address this common problem, we hypothesized that a horse therapy can re-engage children in their rehabilitation. The expected benefits of the horse therapy involve both psycho-social skills thought animal mediation (equitherapy) and motor skills using the horse’s three-dimensional movement (hippotherapy). MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a single-center prospective interventional trial including patients treated for medulloblastoma during childhood, aged 10 to 26, in complete remission. The intervention consisted on weekly 2-hours sessions of equitherapy and hippotherapy with a specialized physiotherapist and psychologist over a 4-month period (16 sessions per patient) in groups of 2 participants. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of a rehabilitation program combining equitherapy and hippotherapy. The secondary objective was to assess changes in motor skills, balance, emotional feelings, self-esteem and quality of life at the end of the sessions, at 4 months and at 6 months using questionnaires and standardized and validated measurements. RESULTS The study began in April 2023 and is still ongoing. Six participants were included and four ended the intervention period. On this preliminary cohort, the recruitment rate was excellent with 100% of patients offered the program agree to take part. Three participants completed the program with a 100% adherence rate. All participants were very satisfied with their participation in the program. Analysis of second objective will be presented in the form of case reports. CONCLUSION The expected outcome of this study is to define a framework for the application of this practice, enabling a model of this rehabilitative management, and then to lead to dissemination and recognition of this activity, enabling larger-scale studies.

Investigating Body Image and Self-Esteem in Kidney Transplant Patients: A Qualitative Study

Background: Kidney transplantation is one of the life-saving therapies for patients with end-stage renal disease, which affects a person’s psychological, social, and physical well-being. How transplanted patients perceive their illness and their body can affect their physical and psychological recovery. Aim: This qualitative study was designed to evaluate self-esteem and body image in kidney transplant patients. Methods: The study involved 16 female renal transplanted patients. Data were collected using a two-part interview form developed by the investigators in accordance with the literature. We used Lundman’s method to transcribe the interviews and coded the data from the interviews. The results of the study were discussed using the themes. The first three interviews were entered into MAXQDA, and then, additional interviews were analyzed. Results: Six main themes and 15 subthemes were generated based on the thematic analysis of the interviews with participants about body image and self-esteem. Themes included body acceptance, changes in body image, deterioration of social relationships, changes in self-esteem, spousal concerns, and organ perceptions. This study collected detailed data on body image, self-esteem, social relationships, and spouse/partner relationships after kidney transplantation. Conclusion: The change in participants’ body image and self-esteem after kidney transplantation caused having negative feelings regarding sexual life, relationships, and social life and feeling unfamiliar with the transplanted organ.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN QUALITY AND SELF-ESTEEM IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

Greater insight into patient's quality of life can help researchers and clinicianstouse quality of life as a measure fortreatment outcomes.Breast cancer is a stressful and causes extremely difficult physical, emotional and social challenges. In addition to concerns about whether breast cancer will metastaize and the impact of treatment side effects on daily life, breast cancer patients are more likely to experience depression than patients with other types of cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other forms of treatment can cause changes in a patient's physical apperance, leading to anxiety, pain, depression, and low self-esteem.Self-esteem is determined by positive or negative feelings as well assatisfaction and confidence in oneself. It also refers to the belief that one is capable of coping with life's challenges and is worthy of happiness. One study found that self-esteem is a key factor in the growth andreturn to normal life in breast cancer patients. Low self-esteem has been found to be strongly associated with depression and other psychological problems.The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer encompasses a critical period in a woman's life duringwhich she suffers from anxiety ofthe cancer spreading to other parts of the body, uncertainty about the future, anxiety and depression, anger, frustration, pain, changes in self-image, fear of losing femininity and changed confidence. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, pathological differences between this disease and other chronic diseases, changes in self-esteem, the development of negative emotions, the experience of everyday problems at work and in interpersonal relationships, and the development of anxiety can lead to changes in the quality of life of patients with breast cancer.The objectiveof this studyis to explain the connection between the quality of life and self-esteem of breast cancer patients.Keywords: connection, quality of life, self-esteem, cancer, breast

Explorando el cambio de la autoestima de los estudiantes de enfermería y sus factores predictivos: Estudio de cohortes y sus retos metodológicos

ObjectiveConsidering methodological difficulties and inconsistent results of previous studies on it, the objective was to describe the change in nursing student self-esteem over time and its predictors, using a sound theoretical framework and relevant tools to measure and analyse the data. MethodCohort study. Self-esteem and related factors were assessed in nursing students in a 4-year bachelor's program at the beginning of each academic year from 2017 to 2019 and at the end of the academic year in May 2020, using he revised version of Self-liking/Self-competence scale of Tafarodi and Swann. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed via generalized linear mixed modelling. ResultsSelf-esteem was moderate at the beginning of the program: 50.40 (9.10). It increased slightly over time: 51.15 (9.11) at T1; 51.64 (0.49) at T2; and 51.39 (10.79) at T3 (p=.002). Baseline variables that predicted self-esteem change were gender, secondary school graduation level, state anxiety, intent to continue, and self-efficacy. Assessing and improving those last variables via a strong career plan could boost student achievement and increase retention during and after training. ConclusionNursing student self-esteem can be assessed using a bidimensional model, with a two-factor scale like Tafarodi & Swann's self-liking/self-competence scale. Generalized linear mixed model is a useful way to correlate large sets of longitudinal data.

사립 특수학교 교사로서의 삶에 대한 내러티브 탐구

This study set out to understand the meaning of the lives and experiences of special educators working in private special school spaces. To this end, three special educators with close relationships to the researcher in the private special school space were selected as study participants. These three special educators had lived through different experiences with personal lived knowledge within the changes and culture of private special school employment. In order to explore the experiences and life stories of the participants in this study, the research was conducted as a narrative inquiry method that explored the three-dimensional space of the changes in teacher recruitment (temporality), the private special school, Hannam School (spatiality), and the sociocultural roles and perceptions of private special schools and the unique organizational culture of private special schools (sociality). The research process consisted of organizing field texts as life stories, and the researcher reconstructed them through retelling to understand how special education teachers who have lived in private special schools experience changes in self-esteem and self-perception. This exploratory process revealed that the experience of being a private special school teacher was shaped by multiple dimensions of time and space. This meant that the participants’ experiences as private special school teachers were shaped by the temporality of their past, resent, and future, as well as by their internal and external perceptions and cultural differences. The research participants used the metaphor of a “well” to represent these experiences, and they drew their own experiences from the “well” space. The construction of these experiences provides an understanding of the lives and experiences of teachers in private special schools and allows us to rethink the changes and developments in private special schools in the field of special education. In addition, it was an opportunity for special education teachers working in private special schools to consolidate their role of ownership in the field and gain momentum for new challenges.

Multiple Trajectories and Predictors of Self-Esteem Change in Later Life: A Latent Growth Mixture Modeling Approach.

Applying latent growth mixture modeling (GMM), this study delves into the examination of self-esteem trajectories in a sample of 5,597 older adults over a nine-year period. Four distinct patterns of self-esteem changes have emerged: low, decreasing, increasing, and high. Additionally, the study explores the relationships between each trajectory and various predictors encompassing demographic factors, socioeconomic status, health, and interpersonal relationships. The findings highlight the significance of these factors in predicting the likelihood of an individual following a specific self-esteem trajectory. Notably, maintaining employment, fostering satisfactory social relationships, and being free of frequent depressive feelings emerged as strong predictors for the stability and increase of high self-esteem. Intriguingly, an average or above-average income was unexpectedly associated with lower levels of self-esteem. The study emphasizes the contribution of GMM to advancing aging research.

Effect of drama training on self-esteem and personality strengths: A feasibility case control study of nidotherapy.

Although there are many case reports and qualitative studies on the likely positive effects of drama on mental health there have been few quantitative studies with mentally ill patients. To assess the effect of drama training in patients receiving nidotherapy with a range of mental and personality disorders on changes in self-esteem and personality strengths over a 1-month period compared with two control groups, one with similar mental disorders and another without, who had similar assessments but no acting involvement. A total of 19 patients were recruited from a mental health charity with current significant mental illness (active group: n = 6) (b) a control group of patients with current mental illness who were not involved in acting (n = 5), and an additional control group with no current mental illness (n = 8) The patients involved in drama were taking part in nidotherapy, an environmental intervention. Two self-rating scales, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Abbreviated Personality Strengths Scale (APSS) recorded changes in self-esteem and personality strengths at base-line and after 1 month in the participants. Random effects modelling was used to analyse the data. The intervention group showed positive improvement in personality strengths (p = .009) compared to the control group that had no mental illness, and also improved more than the control group with mental illness but not to a significant degree (p = .16). Self-esteem recorded with the Rosenberg scale was lower in those in the acting group at baseline compared with the other two groups (p = .088) but after acting training improved by 29% to be equivalent to the control groups. Despite the limited numbers in this study, and the consequent inability to make firm conclusions about the efficacy of drama therapy as part of nidotherapy, the findings suggest that larger trials of this approach are feasible and worth exploring. .