Self-esteem is among the most influenced concepts to have emerged from applied psychology. Its heuristic value in lay conception of psychological life is paralleled only by such well-worn ideas as IQ and the subconscious. For the purpose of this study, self-esteem is defined as a global barometer of self-evaluation involving cognitive appraisals about general self-worth and affective experiences of the self that are linked to the global appraisals. The role of low self-esteem in aggressive behavior has been questioned by theorists who claim that inflated, rather than deflated, self-esteem is associated with violence. Using two treatment samples of partner violent men, 61 men that received a behavioral intervention, and 107 that received a workshop program designed to enhance compassion for self and others, this conjecture or hypothesis was tested. The results countered the conjecture that enhanced self-esteem might increase the risk of aggressive behavior, therefore increasing the likelihood of relationship violence. Tables and references