Self-complexity and well-being: A review and research synthesis

Cognitive therapy and research, 2003

Self-complexity (SC) theory proposes that a highly differentiated self-concept protects against the depressogenic impact of negative life events. Linville's influential prospective study appeared to support this proposition . Subsequent reports have raised questions about the construct validity of Linville's operationalization of self-complexity (defined by the degree to which self-reported personality descriptors are dispersed across self-aspects), as well as the robustness of a buffering effect of self-complexity. In the present replication, Linville's SC measure was again found to moderate the impact of stress on depressive symptoms. However, contrary to SC theory, the form of the Stress × SC interaction was not clearly consistent with stress protection. Also contrary to SC theory, the interaction of stress and SC was entirely explained by the number of self-descriptive personality traits endorsed in the SC task. Both of these findings suggest that with regard to depressive symptoms, reports of a stress-buffering effect for self-complexity are premature.

In this chapter, we take a social-cognitive view to answering the question "What is it about me that makes me resilient?" By doing that, we equate "me" with the cog-nitive self, an entity hard to define and dif-ficult to measure or study that has neverthe-less been of great interest to psychologists, who, for over a century, have suggested that it plays a central role in thought, affect, be-havior, as well as resilience. The self first appeared prominently in the writings of William James (1890), who distinguished between "the self as known" (the "me") and the "self as knower" (the "I"). This distinc-tion between the experienced self and the experiential self exists today as well. Using the more recent terminology of social cog-nition, Linville and Carlston (1994) equated the "me" with the declarative knowledge we have about ourselves, and the "I" with the procedural knowledge that directs our ac-tions, ...

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2005

Greater self-complexity refers to the extent that oneÕs self-concept is comprised of many and relatively differentiated self-aspects. Although some research has found that those greater in self-complexity fare better physically (e.g., fewer illnesses) and psychologically (e.g., less depression) when experiencing stress, other studies have reported another pattern of data (e.g., greater self-complexity predicts greater depression). In the current work, two studies found support for a moderating variable in this latter pattern, self-aspect control. Specifically, for those who perceived relatively little control over their self-aspects, being greater in self-complexity predicted worse physical and psychological outcomes. Study 2 tested alternative explanations and supported an interpretation that perceptions of control over oneÕs multiple selves, in particular, moderated the relation between self-complexity and well-being.

North American Journal of Psychology, 2005

Two studies examine the relations of self-complexity (Linville, 1987) and the authenticity of self-aspects to well being. Study 1 results show that self-complexity is largely unrelated to well being, whereas the authenticity of the self-aspects that constitute it is associated with greater well being. Study 2 uses a two-week, prospective design to replicate Linville's finding of a buffering effect of complexity on the negative outcomes associated with stressful events. In addition, study 2 results revealed either null or negative relations of complexity to well being, whereas the authenticity of self-aspects was again positively related to well being. The findings are discussed with respect to the meaning of self-complexity for personality functioning, and the importance of having one's self-aspects be authentic. According to many theorists, the diversity of roles, demands and models of identity to which people are exposed within modern cultures has fostered a greater comple...

Personality and Individual Differences, 1999

The self-complexity (SC) theory is a structural model of self-knowledge that suggests individual differences in the complexity of knowledge about the self are predictive of emotional stability and reactivity to stress. Various studies have identified problems concerning the consistency, reliability and validity of the often used measure of SC, the dimensionality statistic (H; Scott, 1969). Addressing these issues, the present study proposes 2 alternative measures of the components of SC and examines psychometric properties of these measures. Results of this study indicate a lack of a general factor underlying the dimensionality statistic. In addition, they offer support for the benefit of distinguishing between 2 components of self-complexity: quantity of self-aspects and overlap among them.

2007

Abstract: The self-complexity model (Linville, 1987) predicts that individuals who have numerous self-aspects with little overlap among them will be buffered against the effects of stressful life events and will experience less depression. Despite some evidence to this effect, many replication attempts have failed (cf. Rafaeli-Mor & Steinberg, 2002).

Personality and Social …, 2009

(Roma, 29 novembre 2024) Sapienza Università di Roma - Dipartimento di Diritto ed Economia delle Attività Produttive - Unione dei Privatisti, 2024

Continuos: Representan sistemas cuyos cambios de estado son graduales. Las variables intervinientes son continuas. •Discretos: Representan sistemas cuyos cambios de estado son de a saltos. Las variables varían en forma discontinua.

2024

Seminario a cura di Carmelo di Nicuolo (Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Atene) all'interno del Corso di "Archeologia delle città della Grecia" del prof. Giuseppe Lepore (Laurea Magistrale - Campus di Ravenna). Il Seminario si terrà on line venerdì 5 aprile 2024 dalle ore 14.00: chi fosse interessato è pregatao di scrivere a [email protected]