Effects of opportunity to reciprocate and self‐esteem on help‐seeking behavior

Abstract

The present investigation explored the link between an individual's selfesteem and willingness to seek help under conditions in which future reciprocity is, or is not, expected Based on past research on (a) the effects of perceived opportunity to reciprocate on help seeking, and (b) the effects of self-esteem on help-seeking and receiving, it was expected that relative to low self-esteem individuals, high self-esteem individuals would he more committed to the norm of reciprocity in interpersonal helping, and be more reluctant to seek help which cannot be reciprocated Two studies were conducted In the first it was observed that the higher the level of selfesteem the more the expressed commitment to the norm of reciprocity as measured by scores on an especially designed scale The second study assessed actual help-seeking behavior, and found that least help was sought by high self-esteem individuals who did not foresee an opportunity for future reciprocity The conceptual and applied implications of these findings are discussed In recent years increasing attention has been deyoted by sociai psychologists to the study of help-seeking behayior This research has been pursued from basic-theoretical (e g , and apphed perspectiyes (eg, Nadler, Fisher, & DePaulo, 1983) and indicates that people in need often fail to use existing sources of help because ofthe open admission of inadequacy associated with the seeking of help Past research has delineated the aid-related conditions that moderate the intensity of this threat to self-esteem in help-seeking, which affects the likelihood that helpseeking will or

Suicidal Ideation Among Young Adults: Effects of Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Adjustment

“…Ample support may threaten the individual's sense of self-value. Lack of reciprocity in relationships may stir feelings of guilt and anger (Nadler et al, 1985;De Paulo & Fischer, 1980). Thus, paradoxically, under stress, social support that serves as an adjustment resource may become a source of potential pressure, which may hinder the potential efficiency of this resource (Fischer, 1982).…”

“…A higher score reflects a higher level of self-esteem. Nadler, Mayseless, Peri, & Chemerinsky (1985) reported sufficient internal consistency in the Hebrew version of the questionnaire (Cronbach alpha ¼ :78). The internal consistency in the present study was higher (Cronbach alpha ¼ :86), indicating high reliability.…”

“…This questionnaire, developed by Rosenberg (1965) and translated to Hebrew by Nadler, Mayseless, Peri, & Chemerinsky (1985), includes 10 items referring to feelings and attitudes regarding oneself. Participants were asked to rate, on a 5-point Likert scale, the extent of their agreement with each item.…”

Psychosocial predictors of weight loss and psychological adjustment following bariatric surgery and a weight‐loss program: The mediating role of emotional eating

“…It was translated to Hebrew and validated by Nadler et al 35 Higher scores reflect lower self-esteem. In this study, the scale had high internal consistency (a 5 0.89).…”

The characteristics of help seeking among Palestinian adolescents following exposure to community violence

“…The decision to seek help, encouraged by the willingness to receive help, is made after resolving the conflict between the need to ease the distress and the risks of hurting one's self-esteem, feeling a lack of ability to cope, feeling of dependence or helplessness and the cost of professional help (Nadler, Peri, & Chemerinski, 1985). Willingness to seek help is related to internal, external, demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors (Al-Krenawi et al, 2009;Vogel, Wade, & Hackler, 2007).…”