Social-class differences in self-concept clarity and their implications for well-being.
A consistent/stable sense of the self is more valued in middle-class contexts than working-class contexts; hence, we predicted that middle-class individuals would have higher self-concept clarity than working-class individuals. It is further expected that self-concept clarity would be more important to one's well-being among middle-class individuals than among working-class individuals. Supporting these predictions, self-concept clarity was positively associated with higher social class. Moreover, although self-concept clarity was associated with higher life satisfaction and better mental health, the association significantly attenuated among working-class individuals. In addition, self-concept clarity was not associated with physical health and its association with physical health did not interact with social class.
1 Sogang University, Korea.
Jinkyung
J
Na
2 University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
Micaela Y
MY
Chan
3 Canisius College, USA.
Jennifer
J
Lodi-Smith
2 University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
Denise C
DC
Park
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D055815:Young Adult
life satisfaction; mental health; physical health; self-concept clarity; social class