Positive Relationships Can Boostbr Your Self-Esteem, Study Finds.br The American Psychological Association recentlybr published a research study that encapsulatedbr over 20 years of research in 10 countries. .br The study, conducted by Michelle A. Harrisbr and Ulrich Orth, found a distinct relationshipbr between self-esteem and social interactions.br For the first time, we have a systematic answerbr to a key question in the field of self-esteembr research: Whether and to what extent abr person's social relationships influence hisbr or her self-esteem development, Michelle A. Harris, via EurekAlert.br According to the examined research, social supportbr and acceptance were found to play a key factor in thebr development of self-esteem in people age 4 to 74. .br In turn, they also found that self-esteem playsbr a key factor in the creation of social relationships,br creating a “reciprocal link” between the two. .br The reciprocal link between self-esteem and socialbr relationships implies that the effects of a positivebr feedback loop accumulate over time and couldbr be substantial as people go through life. , Michelle A.