…while not quite reaching a level of statistical significance, there was evidence to suggest that wearing these articles that represent one’s fursona is marginally associated with positive self-esteem (e.g., Head, Beta=.12, p=.068)… except in the case of ears. The data suggest that owning and regularly wearing ears is negatively associated with self-esteem (Beta=-.14, p=.037).
Whether that's because they were young and just couldn't afford a fursuit (which is doubtless depressing), were still trying to find themselves or, like Rukus, had an uncertain attachment to the fandom is unclear. Rukus' last work on FA suggests there might have been more than ears on his mind.
I'm reminded of the results of an Anthropomorphic Research Project survey at Furry Fiesta 2014 which suggested that furries who regularly wore furry attire tended to have more positive self-esteem - unless it was ears, which had the opposite correlation:
Whether that's because they were young and just couldn't afford a fursuit (which is doubtless depressing), were still trying to find themselves or, like Rukus, had an uncertain attachment to the fandom is unclear. Rukus' last work on FA suggests there might have been more than ears on his mind.