 The SEA's
Program
Self–Esteem Inventory
DIRECTIONS:
For the statements below, circle the rating which is most true of your level of
exhibiting these behaviors in your life. Use the following rating scale:
-
1
= never
-
2
= rarely
-
3
= sometimes
-
4
= frequently
-
5
= almost always
1
2 3
4 5
( 1) I seek approval and affirmation
from others, and I am afraid of criticism.
1
2 3
4 5
( 2) I guess at what normal behavior
is, and I usually feel as if I am different from other people.
1
2 3
4 5
( 3) I isolate myself from and am
afraid of people in authority roles.
1
2 3
4 5
( 4) I am not able to appreciate my
own accomplishments and good deeds.
1
2 3
4 5
( 5) I tend to have difficulty
following a project through from beginning to end.
1
2 3
4 5
( 6) I get frightened or stressed
when I am in the company of an angry person.
1
2 3
4 5
( 7) In order to avoid a conflict, I
find it easier to lie than tell the truth.
1
2 3
4 5
( 8) I have problems with my own
compulsive behavior, e.g., drinking, drug use, gambling, overeating, smoking,
use of sex, shopping, etc.
1
2 3
4 5
( 9) I judge myself without mercy. I
am my own worst critic, and I am harder on myself than I am on others.
1
2 3
4 5
(10) I feel more alive in the midst
of a crisis, and I am uneasy when my life is going smoothly; I am continually
anticipating problems.
1
2 3
4 5
(11) I have difficulty having fun. I
don't seem to know how to play for fun and relaxation.
1
2 3
4 5
(12) I am attracted to others whom I
perceive to have been victims, and I develop close relationships with them. In
this way I confuse love with pity, and I love people I can pity and rescue.
1
2 3
4 5
(13) I need perfection in my life at
home and work, and I expect perfection from others in my life.
1
2 3
4 5
(14) I seek out novelty, excitement,
and the challenge of newness in my life with little concern given to the
consequences of such action.
1
2 3
4 5
(15) I take myself very seriously,
and I view all of my relationships just as seriously.
1
2 3
4 5
(16) I have problems developing and
maintaining intimate relationships.
1
2 3
4 5
(17) I feel guilty when I stand up
for myself or take care of my needs first, instead of giving in or taking care
of others' needs first.
1
2 3
4 5
(18) I seek and/or attract people
who have compulsive behaviors (e.g., alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, shopping,
sex, smoking, overworking, or seeking excitement.)
1
2 3
4 5
(19) I feel responsible for others
and find it easier to have concern for others than for myself.
1
2 3
4 5
(20) I am loyal to people for whom I
care, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved.
1
2 3
4 5
(21) I cling to and will do anything
to hold on to relationships because I am afraid of being alone and fearful of
being abandoned.
1
2 3
4 5
(22) I am impulsive and act too
quickly, before considering alternative actions or possible consequences.
1
2 3
4 5
(23) I have difficulty in being able
to feel or to express feelings; I feel out of touch with my feelings.
1
2 3
4 5
(24) I mistrust my feelings and the
feelings expressed by others.
1
2 3
4 5
(25) I isolate myself from other
people, and I am initially shy and withdrawn in new social settings.
1
2 3
4 5
(26) I feel that I am being taken
advantage of by individuals and society in general; I often feel victimized.
1
2 3
4 5
(27) I can be overresponsible much
of the time, but I can be extremely irresponsible at other times.
1
2 3
4 5
(28) I feel confused and angry at
myself and not in control of my environment or my life when the stresses are
great.
1
2 3
4 5
(29) I spend a lot of time and
energy rectifying or cleaning up my messes and the negative consequences of
ill–thought–out or impulsive actions for which I am responsible.
1
2 3
4 5
(30) I deny that my current problems
stem from my past life. I deny that I have stuffed–in feelings from the past
which are impeding my current life.
____
TOTAL SCORE
SCORING
AND INTERPRETATION
Add
the ratings circled. This score indicates the degree to which you are affected
by low self–esteem.
SCORE
INTERPRETATION
0–30 Not affected by low self–esteem.
31–45
Traces of low self–esteem. Take preventive action to reduce
its impact on your life.
46–61 Presence of mild low self–esteem in your life. Take steps to
treat this.
62–90 Presence of moderate low self–esteem. Take steps to treat this
as soon as possible.
91–120
Presence of severe low self–esteem. Take steps to treat this
immediately.
121–150
Presence of profound low self–esteem. Take immediate step to
treat this and seek out professional help to assist you in this process.
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