Domain-specific risk tendencies show little association, directly or indirectly, with domain-specific self-esteem

Both risk taking and self-esteem have traditionally been considered general traits that apply across domains of behaviors, although each has separately been considered as multidimensional or domain specific at times. The domain specificity of both constructs is debated, though, and the theoretical relationships between self-esteem and risk-taking remain unclear. The present study (N = 191) looked at relationships across both domain specific self-esteem and domain-specific risk taking, as well as a theoretically hypothesized possible moderating variable of relative state (perceived ability/need). General self-esteem and general risk taking were assessed concurrently. Specific domains of self-esteem and risk taking were mostly correlated with, yet distinct from, the general constructs with a few notable exceptions. General self-esteem was not correlated with general risk taking, and—although social and physical appearance self-esteem differentially associated with evaluations of their relative state in those areas—domain specific self-esteem was largely not correlated with specific types of risk taking. Moderation analyses did not support an indirect relationship between self-esteem and risk taking. Better measures for the relative state model of risk and more firmly grounded theoretical models of self-esteem and risk taking may be needed in order to better understand if and how they are related.