Unidimensional analysis of the nursing diagnoses of situational low self‐esteem and chronic low self‐esteem

PURPOSE To analyze the unidimensionality of the nursing diagnoses low situational self-esteem and low chronic self-esteem proposed by NANDA-I. DESING AND METHODS Diagnostic accuracy study carried out with 180 patients with depressed mood in a psychiatric hospital in northeastern Brazil. FINDINGS The analysis of the latent class considered the hypothesis of low self-esteem as a unique construct and included the indicators: Excessive seeking of reassurance, repeatedly unsuccessfulness in life events, rejection of positive feedback, insomnia, solitude, and nonassertive behavior. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The recognition of low self-esteem as a unique diagnostic construct allows nurses to be more assertive in the provision of care.