Self-Esteem Research, Theory, and Practice: Toward a Positive Psychology of Self-Esteem, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Christopher J. Mruk PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2006

Dr. Mruk has produced a highly readable new edition of his original work on an often misunderstood psychological construct--self-esteem. Mruk's view that self-esteem is a critically important influence on psychological adjustment and quality of life is now an accepted tenet in personality theory. Lack of self-esteem is frequently a precursor to depression, suicidal behavior, and other personality disorders. Nonetheless, the clinical diagnosis of self-esteem problems has lacked the basis of an overarching theory. Dr. Mruk's comprehensive analysis distills the literature on self-esteem into practical and reliable treatment methods for both clinicians and researchers. The new edition contains updated research and current terms, and addresses the self-esteem "backlash." He concludes with worksheets and detailed guidelines for conducting self-esteem building workshops.

Added features include:

• Major theories of self-esteem
• Chapter on the new positive psychology
• 150 new references

Dr. Mruk has developed a writing style that is successfully oriented toward both academic and clinical audiences in the areas of counseling, education, nursing, psychology, and social work, thus providing much-needed information for teachers, students, and practicing clinicians in a clear, concise way.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The third edition of Self-Esteem remains THE source for a truly integrated approach to self-esteem. This edition is thoroughly updated, is clearly written across readerships--whether researchers, theorists, or clinicians or leaders of self-esteem enhancement groups, and persuasively argues for the place of self-esteem within contemporary positive psychology."

Constance T. Fischer, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor, Psychology Department, Duquesne University

About the Author

Chris Mruk, PhD, was trained in general psychology at Michigan State University in 1971 and in clinical psychology at Duquesne University in 1981. His clinical background includes working in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, supervising a methadone program in Detroit, working in emergency psychiatric services, directing a counseling center at St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, doing some private practice, and serving as a consulting psychologist to Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio. He is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Chris's academic experience includes some 20 years of teaching psychology and training mental health professionals. He is a professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University, Firelands College, Ohio, where he has won the college's Distinguished Teaching and Distinguished Scholar awards. His publications include a number of academically oriented articles, several chapters and, coauthored with Joan Hartzell, Zen and Psychotherapy: Integrating Tradition and Nontraditional Approaches (2003, paperback 2006, Springer Publishing Company). Chris and his Wife Marsha, whose career involves directing large-scale mental health programs, live in Sandusky, Ohio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: Springer Publishing Company; 3 edition (May 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082610231X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826102317
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book moves from research to theory and then practice., January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Self-Esteem: Research, Theory, and Practice (Hardcover)

Why another book on self-esteem? As Mruk points out to begin his own, there are already 7,337 articles and books on this topic. What Mruk also makes clear early on is just how little we really do understand of the complexity of this topic. Most have settled for overly simplistic, popularlized truisms, and most scientific studies reveal ambiguous or insignificant consequences. This lack is especially troubling for the many self-esteem enhancement programs that are recently being established. Mruk's solution is to supplement these traditionally scientific studies with findings from qualitative, specifically phenomenological, research. His aim is not simply a side-by-side addition of qualitative work, but to effect on true consensus of both perspectives. The approach allows Mruk a very close access to the lived dimensions of self-esteem, and an astute basis for his concrete suggestions for enhancing self-esteem.

This review was written by Chris Aanstoos, Editor of The Humanstic Psychologist, and published in Volume 23, Number 1, p. 121.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most complete book I've read on self-esteem so far, October 17, 2001

By 

Silvia Vita (Los Polvorines, Buenos Aires Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self-Esteem: Research, Theory, and Practice (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

Mruk describes the challenges of studying self-esteem in a clear and academic way. Heavily supported by years of research work. A must read for any serious self-esteem researcher.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of self-esteem, August 7, 2006

By 

Robert W. Reasoner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Self-Esteem Research, Theory, and Practice: Toward a Positive Psychology of Self-Esteem, Third Edition (Hardcover)

Christopher Mruk, professor of psychology at Bowling Green University in Ohio, has just published the Third Edition of his book on self-esteem. I believe this is a major contribution to the field of psychology with its clarification of what self-esteem is, why published research by various authors has been so conflicting, what recent research shows, and why self-esteem deserves a significant place in the emerging field of "positive psychology." It is a must read for those interested in truly understanding self-esteem and its place in the field of psychology.