Predictors of Self-Esteem Variability

Abstract

Self-esteem (SE) variability has been shown to prospectively predict symptoms of depression. We examined four potential contributors to SE variability (limited sources of self-esteem, defectiveness, negative generalization, and adverse events. . . feelings about the nature of one's self are at the epicenter of the depression storm. Depressive feelings seem to emanate from and then reflect back on a self that is seen as somehow inadequate, improper, disliked, or damaged. (Karp, 1996, p. 48) A number of theorists have highlighted the central role of self-esteem in depression (e.g., Beck, 1967depression (e.g., Beck, , 1976Brown & Harris, 1989;Gotlib & Hammen, 1992;Solomon, Greenberg, & Pyszczynski, 1991). There is growing consensus, however, that it is the variability of self-esteem, rather than whether it is high or low at a given point in time, that can render an individual vulnerable to depression (Butler, Hokanson, & Flynn, 1994;Kernis et al., 1998;Kernis, Paradise, Whitaker, Wheatman, & Goldman, 2000;Roberts & Monroe, 1994).The temporal stability of self-esteem is typically indexed by computing the standard deviation of participants' scores across multiple assessments; the larger the standard deviation, the more unstable (variable) one's global self esteem. 3 Self-esteem 1 Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. 2 Correspondence should be directed to Adele M. Hayes, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida 33146-0751; e-mail: ahayes@miami.edu. 3 This index has been labeled self-esteem stability in studies by Kernis and colleagues. We use the term self-esteem variability because larger standard deviations (more variability) are associated with elevated depression scores. Roberts and colleagues similarly use the term self-esteem lability.

Sexual Risk Among African American Women: Psychological Factors and the Mediating Role of Social Skills

“…In a study conducted with African American women, psychological distress (i.e., recent depressive symptoms) negatively predicted self-efficacy to refuse sex in a number of social situations such that women who reported high depressive symptoms were less confident in their ability to effectively reject a potential sexual partner (Seth et al, 2011). This research is consistent with studies that show depressive symptoms as a predictor of low self-worth and low self-esteem (Coyne, Gallo, Klinkman, & Calarco, 1998; Hayes, Harris, & Carver, 2004). According to the scar hypothesis, depressive symptoms can negatively alter one’s self-concept such that they experience low self-esteem and high amount of self-doubt (Rhode, Lewinson, & Seeley, 1990).…”

The Impact of Unfair Treatment on Depressive Mood: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem Level and Self-Esteem Instability

“…Kernis, 2005). The role of self-esteem instability in the development of depressive mood or depression has been repeatedly tested, and the evidence suggests that unstable selfesteem might be an important vulnerability marker for depression (e.g., Franck & De Raedt, 2007;Hayes, Harris, & Carver, 2004;Kernis et al, 1998;Roberts, Kassel, & Gotlib, 1995;Roberts & Monroe, 1992). In most previous research, instability has been related to depressive symptoms among individuals with high and low self-esteem.…”

Cognitive responses to failure and success relate uniquely to bipolar depression versus mania.

“…Other studies indicate that negative generalization prospectively predicts increases in depressive symptoms and instability in self-esteem in conjunction with negative events (Carver, 1998;Hayes, Harris, & Carver, 2004). We should be clear to distinguish negative generalization from over-general memory recall, which has been found to be elevated among people with bipolar disorder, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Goddard, Dritschel, & Burton, 1996;McNally, Litz, Prassas, Shin, & Weathers, 1994; J. M. G. Williams & Broadbent, 1986).…”