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Using the FishSim Animation Toolchain to Investigate Fish Behavior: A Case Study on Mate-Choice Copying In Sailfin Mollies

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Association Between Self-Perceived Mate Value and Self-Esteem: A Meta-Analysis.

Sreedevi J¹, Jeshmeen Deb Barman², Saurabh Maheshwari¹

¹Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodpur, India.

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy

|April 29, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Self-perceived mate value (SPMV) is strongly linked to self-esteem, indicating that how desirable you feel as a mate correlates positively with your overall self-worth. This robust association holds true across various demographic groups and measurement methods.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology
Social Psychology

Background:

Self-perceived mate value (SPMV) is a key aspect of social cognition.
The relationship between SPMV and self-esteem is frequently observed but not fully understood.
Existing research lacks a comprehensive analysis of the strength and moderators of this association.

Purpose of the Study:

To conduct a meta-analysis examining the association between self-esteem and SPMV.
To explore potential reasons for variability in the SPMV-self-esteem relationship.
To test the consistency of this association across different demographic and measurement contexts.

Main Methods:

Meta-analysis of 23 records (26 datasets, N=11,837) published up to December 2025.
Inclusion of studies examining the relationship between self-esteem and SPMV.
Meta-regression and subgroup analyses to investigate moderating factors.

Main Results:

A strong positive association was found between SPMV and self-esteem (r=0.512, p<0.001).
The association remained consistent across various demographic variables (gender, age) and measurement tools.
No significant moderating effects were identified, indicating a robust relationship.

Conclusions:

Self-esteem is a strong and consistent correlate of self-perceived mate value.
Findings align with sociometer theory and evolutionary perspectives on mate selection.
SPMV is a significant indicator of self-worth across diverse populations and measurement approaches.