Researchers from Bielefeld University in Germany have found that the link between self-esteem and emotional burnout is largely determined by an obsession with negative thoughts about the past and future. The work, published in the journal Communications Psychology, could form the basis for new psychotherapeutic approaches.
Scientists at Bielefeld University identified that people with low self-esteem are more prone to emotional burnout, and repetitive negative thoughts play a key role in this process. The study, published in Communications Psychology, sheds light on the internal psychological mechanisms that sustain stress and exhaustion.
In a four-week experiment involving 96 students during their exam period, researchers used the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) method, which allows for tracking participants’ emotional states in real-time. The results showed that when students felt greater self-respect and demonstrated more stable self-esteem, the risk of burnout decreased.
At the same time, frequent repetitive negative thoughts—rumination about past mistakes or anxiety about the future—significantly intensified the signs of emotional exhaustion. Participants with low self-esteem were more likely to fall into these cycles of rumination, leading to even greater stress and insomnia.
“Our data indicate that unstable self-esteem and a propensity for negative rumination create a vicious cycle that amplifies burnout,” note the study authors.
The researchers emphasize that understanding this correlation will help psychotherapists develop more personalized support strategies—focused not only on boosting self-esteem but also on working with destructive cognitive patterns.
The team plans to further investigate how repetitive thoughts and internal mindsets affect a person’s resilience to stress and the effectiveness of psychological interventions.
