The following is a summary of “Self-esteem in new light: a qualitative study of experiences of internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for low self-esteem in adolescents,” published in the November 2023 issue of Psychiatry by Berg et al. 

Common among adolescents, low self-esteem can significantly impact their lives. While traditional treatments have limitations, internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) shows promise but lacks qualitative evaluation for low self-esteem. 

Researchers performed a retrospective study to explore the experiences of adolescents with low self-esteem who participated in a novel ICBT treatment. 

About 15 adolescent girls who had undergone ICBT agreed to take part in a post-treatment semi-structured qualitative telephone interview. The collected data underwent analysis and categorization through inductive Thematic Analysis. 

The analysis revealed four main themes: increased awareness and agency in challenging situations, improved self-image, a sense of uniqueness with a feeling of not being alone, and expanded understanding and new perspectives. Participants reported positive changes in their thoughts and behaviors and valuable self-improvement experiences, including increased self-acceptance, effective management of negative thoughts, and a stronger sense of connection to others.

The study found that ICBT was perceived as beneficial for adolescents with low self-esteem, prompting further research and development, especially among boys. 

Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05328-0