Study reveals self-esteem inflation among US kids: ‘According to the report, in a recent issue of Personality and Social Psychology Review, self-esteem among America’s youth in general and college students in particular has been on the rise for the past 30 years. Meantime, societal indicators that these feelings are warranted, such as higher SAT scores and lower rates of teen pregnancy, have not kept pace with attitudes.’ Self-esteem ‘based on nothing,’ as the study’s author puts it, sets people up for disappointment. ‘(He) blames the trend on the self-esteem movement in schools, which teaches children slogans and affirmations such as “I am lovable and capable.” ‘ Reuters Health