Generalized self-efficacy, self-esteem, and negative affect.

Abstract

In order to help resolve the ongoing debate about the relationship between and the functions of self-esteem and generalized self-efficacy (GSE), the authors tested the hypotheses that GSE predicts future self-esteem and that self-esteem predicts unique incremental variance in future negative affect. Measures of these three constructs were administered to two samples of undergraduates (N = 160 and N = 75) twice over five-six weeks. Time 1 GSE accounted for significant variance in Time 2 self-esteem in both studies, 1.6% of the variance in Study 1 and 4.6% of the variance in Study 2, after controlling for Time 1 self-esteem. Time 1 self-esteem did not predict Time 2 GSE in either study. Self-esteem accounted for significant variance in negative affect in Study 1. Results suggest that GSE and self-esteem are distinct, that GSE may play a role in the development of self-esteem, and that selfesteem may help shape negative affect.

Testing a conceptual model of working through self-defeating patterns.

“…Total scores ranged from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater personal self-esteem. For college student samples, coefficient alphas for RSES were .87-.89 (Lightsey, Burke, Ervin, Henderson, & Yee, 2006;Roberts et al, 1996) in the previous research and .88 in the present study. Construct validity evidence was supported by the negative association between self-esteem and negative affect (Lightsey et al).…”

Getting to the core of core self‐evaluation: a review and recommendations

“…For example, using a longitudinal design, Lightsey et al (2006) showed that generalized self-efficacy shapes self-esteem but not vice versa, supporting the earlier findings of Smith (1989) and Chen et al (2004). Lightsey et al claimed that their results ran counter to CSE theory because the traits are separate constructs with discrete antecedents.…”

“…As such, we are hesitant to conclude at this time that self-esteem should be removed as a CSE trait. Instead, we encourage further research that more directly examines possible causal effects that self-esteem has on work outcomes, which researchers have begun to do (e.g., Lightsey et al, 2006). However, if self-esteem is found to have little impact on self-regulatory functioning, then its removal may be warranted.…”

“…However, by specifying self-efficacy at the level of the person (i.e., generalized self-efficacy) rather than the situation, self-efficacy is also an appraisal of self-worth. Indeed, researchers have argued that generalized self-efficacy is either redundant with or a direct antecedent of self-esteem (e.g., Coopersmith, 1967;Lightsey, Burke, Henderson, & Yee, 2006;Tharenou, 1979). Judge et al (1997, p 162) also note the overlap between the two: 'Generalized self-efficacy is likely to be related to self-esteem because it encompasses individuals' judgments of their capabilities to mobilize motivation, cognitive resources, and courses of action needed to exercise general control over many or key events in their lives and deal successfully with life's challenges'.…”

Self-esteem fluctuations and cardiac vagal control in everyday life

“…Finally, to get a more comprehensive view of the psychophysiological concomitants of self-esteem in everyday life, we also assessed negative affect (NA). NA and emotional instability have been found to be negatively associated with self-esteem in a number of studies (e.g., Judge et al, 2002;Lightsey et al, 2006;Lorr and Wunderlich, 1988;Neiss et al, 2005;Richter and Ridout, 2011), although this relationship has not yet been explored in a daily-life setting.…”