title: Self-structure and self-esteem stability: the hidden vulnerability of compartmentalization.
abstract: The present studies examined the association between self-concept structure and stability of self-esteem. In two daily diary studies, evaluative integration (organizing positively and negatively valenced self-beliefs into the same self-aspects) was associated with more stable self-esteem than evaluative compartmentalization (organizing positively and negatively valenced self-beliefs into separate self-aspects) among individuals with generally high self-esteem. Moreover, analyses of self-esteem reactivity confirmed that the sensitivity of state self-esteem to daily events was greater for compartmentalized individuals than for individuals with relatively integrative self-concept structures. Compartmentalization also was associated with greater sensitivity to experiences of social rejection in the laboratory, consistent with the view that integration affords greater stability of self-evaluations. These results suggest that some of the benefits believed to be associated with compartmentalization (such as high self-esteem) may have hidden costs that have not previously been considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. virgil@usm.edu
authors.forename: Virgil
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zeigler-Hill
authors.forename: Carolin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Showers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires