| In this study women's feelings of low self-esteem were related significantly to committed partnerships with occupationally successful men. Forty women aged 34 to 67 were administered a self-evaluation scale developed for the study, followed by personal interviews. Forty-five percent identified themselves as having lower self-esteem than desired during such relationships. They experienced lack of power in most of eight power areas investigated, while perceiving their partners as interpersonally powerful. Low self-esteem women tended to be extrinsically motivated and to feel psychologically battered by male partners. Identification of this population is recommended since their problems frequently are not being addressed by caregivers while the intimate relationships are intact. Women with low self-esteem apparently need to experience their own significant successes, particularly balancing of interpersonal power, and to refocus on intrinsic worth. |
