In psychology, self-esteem describes a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself.

Confidence in one's value as a human being is a precious psychological resource and a highly positive factor in life; it correlates with achievement, good relationships, and satisfaction.

Possessing little self-regard can make people depressed, fall short of their potential, or tolerate abusive relationships and situations.

On the other hand, much self-love results in an off-putting sense of entitlement and an inability to learn from failures. It can also signify clinical narcissism, in which individuals may behave self-centered, arrogant, and manipulatively.

Self-esteem can influence life in myriad ways, from academic and professional success to relationships and mental health.

Self-esteem, however, is not an immutable characteristic; successes or setbacks, both personal and professional, can fuel fluctuations in feelings of self-worth.

People who experience a steady diet of disapproval from significant others—family, supervisors, friends, and teachers—might have low self-esteem. Still, the healthy individual can weather off-putting evaluations.

Each person's experience is different, but self-esteem seems to rise and fall in predictable, systematic ways throughout the lifespan.

Research suggests that self-esteem grows, by varying degrees, until age 60, when it remains steady before beginning to decline in old age.