Positive self-statements increase anxiety in people with low self-esteem.

Is it true that positive self-statements increase anxiety in people with low self-esteem?

Partly. Evidence is mixed and only partial: a 2021 EEG pilot and a 2022 exposure study report adverse or increased anxiety effects of positive self-statements in low-self-esteem or anxious youth, while other studies find positive self-statements did not predict anxiety and raised self-esteem rather than anxiety.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 4 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Dziembowska, I., Rasmus, A., Esmaeilzadeh, S., & Wiłkość-Dębczyńska, M. (2021). The Level of Self-Esteem May Influence the Effect of Positive Self-Statements. An EEG Alpha Asymmetry Pilot Study. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101913

Philpot, V. D. & Bamburg, J. W. (1996). Rehearsal of Positive Self-Statements and Restructured Negative Self-Statements to Increase Self-Esteem and Decrease Depression. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1996.79.1.83

Optimising exposure for adolescents with public speaking anxiety: Affect labelling or positive coping statements?. (2022). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103997

Tom, P., Jeff, G., Sheldon, S., Jamie, A., & Jeff, S. (2004). Why Do People Need Self-Esteem? A Theoretical and Empirical Review. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ688505

C., K. P. & H., T. K. R. (2007). The Role of Self-Statements as a Mediator in Treatment for Youth with Anxiety Disorders. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ766088

K., L. L. & Others, A. (1988). The Case for Modifying Adolescents' Cognitive Self-Statements.. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ390338