Final answer:
Individuals with low self-esteem are more likely to exhibit neuroticism, facing negative emotions such as anxiety and hostility. Contrarily, those with low neuroticism have healthier self-esteems and are better able to cope with stress and maintain good mental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dark side of self-esteem exists in tension with the findings that people with low self-esteem are more prone to neuroticism, which is a tendency to experience negative emotions. High levels of neuroticism are characterized by feelings of being anxious, unhappy, angry, impulsive, and hostile. However, individuals who score low in neuroticism exhibit traits opposite to these, being calm and even-tempered. Research highlights that those with low neuroticism, and consequently a healthier self-esteem, are better equipped to cope with stress, less likely to suffer from depression, and generally maintain better health compared to those with a high degree of neuroticism. This suggests a complex relationship between self-esteem and emotional stability, moderated by factors such as stress, perceived social rejection, and others' expectations as demonstrated by various psychological theories and studies.