Some scholars have linked the development of a true (or authentic) self to better mental health.

Barriers to the development of a true self include peer pressure, family preferences, social norms, and cultural expectations.

This can lead to a discrepancy between internal desires and lived reality, contributing to the development of a "false self."

A "false self"—and the dysfunctional choices that may arise as a result—have been linked in research to poorer mental health.