title: The role of self-enhancing evaluations in a successful life transition.
abstract: The objective of the study was to investigate how self-enhancing evaluations, obtained via positive social comparisons and reflected appraisals, were related to mental health in a later life transition. The sample consisted of 266 women who were interviewed once before and 3 times after the experience of community relocation. Results extended prior findings suggesting the dynamic impact of self-enhancing evaluative processes on psychological well-being and depressive symptoms. Additional analyses showed evidence for reverse causality, that is, that mental health also influenced self-evaluative processes. This study underscores the significance of holding a positive view of self vis-à-vis others in negotiating life challenges as well as the reciprocal influence of well-being on social self-evaluative processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706, USA. cmkwan@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Christine Man Lai
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Gayle Dienberg
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Carol D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ryff
authors.forename: Marilyn J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Essex
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support