People with high self-esteem 'pose a greater risk to society'

People with very high opinions of themselves could pose a greater menace to society than those wracked by insecurities, according to research published today.

Low self-esteem is among the most popular "explanations" for social problems such as violence, delinquency, drug and alcohol dependence, academic failure and child abuse.

But a report by a leading academic says there is no evidence to support these claims and, in many cases, young people with high self-esteem present a greater threat because of their disregard for others. They are more likely to hold racist attitudes, engage in risky pursuits such as drink-driving or speeding and reject pressure from their parents or their peers to conform.

Professor Nicholas Emler, a social psychologist at the London School of Economics, accepts that high self-esteem has advantages, but says it is "very far from being an unconditional benefit". In his report, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Professor Emler reviews numerous research papers on low self-esteem, which have resulted in a huge market for self-help manuals and affected public policy.

But he concludes that many commonly held beliefs about low self-esteem are myths, including the idea that raising self-esteem is "an all-purpose cure" for society's ills.

But those who lack self-worth are at greater risk of suicide, depression, teenage pregnancy and victimisation by bullies, he says. Low childhood self-esteem also appears to be linked with adolescent eating disorders and employment problems in young adulthood.