Summarizes several studies on self-esteem between 13 and 23 yrs of age, as well as results from the Monitoring the Future project (MFP) to show that global self-esteem, as measured by scales like the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, increases over that age span. The MFP consists of annual questionnaire surveys of 15,000-29,000 high school seniors and some follow-up questionnaires after graduation. Using MFP data from the classes of 1976 through 1979, results support an increase in self-esteem with age. In spite of the considerable increase in mean levels, there is also considerable stability of self-esteem. Using both single- and multiple-indicator models with correlated errors, the stabilities of self-esteem are shown to be fairly high. Annual stabilities are estimated to be between .6 and .9, depending on the model and on the definition of stability. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)