Individual differences in spontaneous self-affirmation and mental health: relationships with self-esteem, dispositional optimism and coping. Issue 3 (3rd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Peter R.; Richards, Alice; Bond, Rod
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 22:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03
• Subjects: Self-affirmation -- self-esteem -- dispositional optimism -- mental health and wellbeing; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2022.2099455
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In two online studies, we test whether spontaneous self-affirmation (measured by the Spontaneous Self-Affirmation Measure, SSAM) predicts better mental health and coping and the role that self-esteem and dispositional optimism play in these relationships. Study 1 (N = 110) was cross-sectional. In study 2 (N = 192) we collected the mental health measures one month post-baseline. Consistent with pre-registered hypotheses, the SSAM predicted less anxiety, depression and avoidant coping, and greater wellbeing and non-avoidant coping; however, relationships involving self-esteem and optimism varied with the reported source of self-affirmation measured by the SSAM (strengths, values, social relations). Overall, the findings are generally consistent with the hypothesis that spontaneous self-affirmation tends to function as a resource that fosters positive coping with threats.