title: Spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with psychological well-being: Evidence from a US national adult survey sample.
abstract: Emerging evidence suggests that individuals spontaneously self-affirm, by reflecting on values and strengths, in response to daily threats. We examined the prevalence and demographic and well-being correlates of spontaneous self-affirmation in the general population. Participants ( n = 3185) completed the cross-sectional, nationally representative 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 4, Cycle 3), and answered questions about spontaneous self-affirmation, demographic factors, well-being, and affect. The majority of the population reported spontaneously self-affirming. Black and Hispanic respondents reported engaging in more spontaneous self-affirmation. Engaging in spontaneous self-affirmation was related to greater happiness, hopefulness, optimism, subjective health, and personal health efficacy, and less anger and sadness.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Amber S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Emanuel
authors.affiliation: 2 Ohio University, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.affiliation: 3 National Cancer Institute, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Taber
authors.affiliation: 3 National Cancer Institute, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.affiliation: 3 National Cancer Institute, USA.
authors.forename: William Mp
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067656:Optimism; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States; D001741:Black or African American
keywords: affect; physical health; self-affirmation; spontaneous self-affirmation; well-being