Sheltering the self from the storm: self-construal abstractness and the stability of self-esteem.
Self-construal abstractness (SCA) refers to the degree to which people construe important bases of self-esteem in a broad, flexible, and abstract rather than a concrete and specific manner. This article hypothesized that SCA would be a unique predictor of self-esteem stability, capturing the degree to which people's most important bases of self-worth are resistant to disconfirmation. Two studies using a daily diary methodology examined relationships between SCA, daily self-esteem, and daily emotions and/or events. In Study 1, individual differences in SCA emerged as the most consistent and unique predictor of self-esteem stability. Furthermore, SCA contributed to self-esteem stability by buffering the influence of daily negative emotions on self-esteem. Study 2 manipulated SCA via a daily self-construal task and found an abstract versus concrete self-focus to buffer the influence of daily negative events on self-esteem. Implications of these findings for the study of the self and well-being are discussed.
Updegraff
John A
JA
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. jupdegr1@kent.edu
Emanuel
Amber S
AS
Suh
Eunkook M
EM
Gallagher
Kristel M
KM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000145:classification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004532:Ego; D004644:Emotions / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult