How is self-esteem related to self-efficacy?

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific task or achieve a goal. Self-esteem, on the other hand, is the overall sense of self-worth or value that a person places on themselves. Option C highlights a crucial relationship between these two concepts: when individuals overcome obstacles, they not only bolster their self-efficacy—by demonstrating their capability to overcome challenges—but they also enhance their self-esteem, as achieving these challenges reinforces a positive self-image. This interconnection is vital because successes can breed further successes, leading to a cycle where enhanced self-efficacy promotes greater self-esteem, and vice versa.

In contrast, self-esteem affecting social skills indicates a relationship, but does not specifically address the interplay with self-efficacy. High self-esteem leading to decreased self-efficacy contradicts the generally accepted notion that self-confidence can actually enhance an individual's belief in their capabilities. Similarly, stating that self-esteem is unrelated to performance ignores the established impact that self-belief can have on an individual's output and results in various domains.