Instability in self-esteem and paranoia in a general population sample.
BACKGROUND
Research on the association between paranoia and self-esteem has yielded inconsistent findings. Some studies have indicated an association between paranoia and low self-esteem, while other studies have shown an association with high self-esteem. A plausible explanation for these inconsistencies is that self-esteem is unstable in paranoid individuals.


METHODS
The association between instability in self-esteem and paranoia was assessed in a general population risk set of 4636 individuals using logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Self-esteem instability was significantly associated with the presence of paranoid symptoms (OR 1.27 95% CI 1.12-1.45) and not with other positive psychotic symptoms (OR 1.09 95% CI 0.96-1.23), adjusted for a range of a priori selected confounders.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of a specific association between unstable self-esteem and paranoia is in line with a recent psychological model suggesting that paranoid beliefs arise partly as a consequence of dysfunctional efforts to regulate self-esteem.
Thewissen
Viviane
V
Dept. of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200, MD, Mastricht, The Netherlands.
Myin-Germeys
Inez
I
Bentall
Richard
R
de Graaf
Ron
R
Vollebergh
Wilma
W
van Os
Jim
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept