What does ego strength refer to?

Ego strength refers to the strength of a person's convictions and their ability to maintain their beliefs and sense of self in the face of challenges, pressures, or stressors. It embodies resilience, allowing individuals to stand firm in their values and make decisions aligned with their principles, even when confronted with adversity. High ego strength often correlates with self-confidence, emotional stability, and a clearer sense of identity, enabling individuals to navigate complexities without compromising their core beliefs.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of ego strength. Avoiding ethical dilemmas speaks more to moral decision-making rather than the conviction behind those decisions. The influence of external factors pertains to how outside pressures can shape choices but does not relate to the internal strength of one's convictions. The capacity for empathy focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which, while important in its own right, is a different construct that does not directly align with the concept of ego strength.