Research has shown that the way we talk to ourselves can have a significant impact on our mental health, behavior, and performance. Here are just some of the ways that negativity can damage our self-concept:
Increased Anxiety
Negative self-talk can create anxiety by inducing a sense of fear and worry in individuals. Negative self-talk can magnify feelings of uncertainty and insecurity, leading to excessive worry and fear about future events.
Individuals who engage in negative self-talk may also perceive normal situations as threatening, leading to a constant state of anxiety. In a study by Segerstrom and Solberg Nes (2007), participants who had a more negative self-view were found to be more anxious than those with a more positive self-view.
Worsened Depression
Negative self-talk can also lead to depression by reducing an individual’s self-esteem and creating feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Negative self-talk can be a significant source of stress, leading to increased cortisol levels, which can trigger depressive symptoms. When an individual engages in negative self-talk regularly, it can become automatic, and they may no longer realize they are doing it.
This can lead to a negative self-perpetuating cycle where negative self-talk reinforces negative emotions, which, in turn, reinforces negative self-talk. In a study by Blakemore and colleagues (2015), adolescents who engaged in negative self-talk had higher levels of depressive symptoms than those who engaged in positive self-talk.
Reduced Performance
Negative self-talk can reduce performance by inducing a sense of self-doubt and reducing confidence. When an individual engages in negative self-talk, they may question their abilities and feel uncertain about their performance.
This can lead to a lack of confidence, which can affect their ability to perform effectively. In a study by Woodman and colleagues (2009), golfers who engaged in negative self-talk were found to have reduced confidence and lower performance than those who engaged in positive self-talk.
Negative self-talk can also lead to increased anxiety and stress, which can impair performance. When individuals engage in negative self-talk, they may magnify the importance of the task at hand, leading to excessive worry and stress.
This can lead to impaired decision-making and reduced performance. In a study by Mullen and Hardy (2000), participants who engaged in negative self-talk during a cognitive task showed impaired decision-making compared to those who engaged in positive self-talk.
Finally, negative self-talk can also create self-fulfilling prophecies, where an individual’s negative thoughts become a reality. When individuals engage in negative self-talk, they may create self-limiting beliefs that prevent them from performing to their full potential.
This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where their negative thoughts become a reality. In a study by Nieuwenhuys and colleagues (2018), participants who engaged in negative self-talk before a cycling task had reduced performance compared to those who engaged in positive self-talk.
Lowered Self Worth
When individuals engage in negative self-talk, they may focus on their flaws and mistakes, leading to a negative self-image. This can lead to a vicious cycle where individuals believe that they are not good enough, which can further reinforce negative self-talk.
In a study by Leary and colleagues (1995), participants who engaged in negative self-talk had lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression and anxiety than those who engaged in positive self-talk.
Negative Relationships
We can also see that individuals engaging in negative self-talk may be overly critical and judgmental of themselves. This can lead to a lack of self-compassion, where individuals are unable to show themselves kindness and understanding.
This lack of self-compassion can further erode self-worth and lead to one feeling unworthiness. In a study by Neff (2003), participants who engaged in self-compassion had higher levels of self-worth and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Decreased Physical Health
The stress response activated by negative self-talk can contribute to the development of conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Chronic stress can also exacerbate existing health conditions, making it harder to manage symptoms and leading to a decline in overall health.
In a study by Cohen and colleagues (2012), participants who engaged in negative self-talk had a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses than those who did not engage in negative self-talk.
