The proposed research begins with the hypothesis that the importance of self-esteem lies not just in whether it is high or low (i.e., level of self-esteem), but also in people's preoccupation with seeking self-esteem - pursuing the goal to validate the self in domains of self-worth contingency. In the short term, successful pursuit of self-esteem relieves anxiety and increases feelings of safety, security, and superiority. These benefits, however, are short-lived and may come at a high price to the self and to others. The proposed studies explore the following hypotheses 1) threats in domains of contingent self-worth trigger the goal of self-validation, which in turn triggers reactions (thoughts, emotions, and behaviors) that undermine learning, autonomy, and relatedness, and self-regulation; 2) these reactions threats in domains of contingent self-worth trigger self-validation goals in others; 3) learning goals (in which performance outcomes are viewed as a means to learning), and goals that include what is good for the other as well as the self can undo or diminish the effects of threats in domains of contingent self-worth on learning, relatedness, autonomy, and self-regulation; 4) over time, self-validation goals trigger by actual or anticipated threats in domains of self-worth contingency undermine mental health, leading to increases in symptoms of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and narcissism. Seventeen laboratory experiments examine the effects of actual and anticipated threats in domains of contingent self-worth on self-validation goals and thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Two daily report studies examine how threats in domains of self-worth affect self-validation goals and learning, relatedness, autonomy, and self-regulation in daily life, and also examine in students at risk (mildly depressed, anxious, eating disordered, and narcissistic students) whether threats in domains of contingent self-worth lead to a spiraling of symptoms over time. A 4-year longitudinal survey examines the long-term costs of self-validation goals in domains of contingent self-worth for the mental health of college students. This research has the potential to transform our understanding of the importance of self-esteem in daily life, and for mental health; if the predictions are confirmed, it will show that the importance of self-esteem lies not (only) in whether we have it or not, but in how the pursuit of self-esteem, by attempting to prove our worth and value in domains of contingency, undermines the fundamental human needs for learning, relatedness, autonomy and self-regulation, and ultimately mental health. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH058869-07
Application #
6908252
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SPIP (01))
Program Officer
Kozak, Michael J
Project Start
1998-08-20
Project End
2009-03-31
Budget Start
2005-04-01
Budget End
2006-03-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$257,312
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
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Canevello, Amy; Crocker, Jennifer (2017) Compassionate Goals and Affect in Social Situations. Motiv Emot 41:158-179
Hodge, Rebecca D; Garcia 3rd, Alfredo J; Elsen, Gina E et al. (2013) Tbr2 expression in Cajal-Retzius cells and intermediate neuronal progenitors is required for morphogenesis of the dentate gyrus. J Neurosci 33:4165-80
Hodge, Rebecca D; Nelson, Branden R; Kahoud, Robert J et al. (2012) Tbr2 is essential for hippocampal lineage progression from neural stem cells to intermediate progenitors and neurons. J Neurosci 32:6275-87
Yusuf, Dimas; Butland, Stefanie L; Swanson, Magdalena I et al. (2012) The transcription factor encyclopedia. Genome Biol 13:R24
Bushman, Brad J; Moeller, Scott J; Crocker, Jennifer (2011) Sweets, sex, or self-esteem? Comparing the value of self-esteem boosts with other pleasant rewards. J Pers 79:993-1012
Canevello, Amy; Crocker, Jennifer (2011) Changing Relationship Growth Belief: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Consequences of Compassionate Goals. Pers Relatsh 18:370-391
Crocker, Jennifer (2011) Presidential address: self-image and compassionate goals and construction of the social self: implications for social and personality psychology. Pers Soc Psychol Rev 15:394-407
Canevello, Amy; Crocker, Jennifer (2010) Creating good relationships: responsiveness, relationship quality, and interpersonal goals. J Pers Soc Psychol 99:78-106
Crocker, Jennifer; Canevello, Amy; Breines, Juliana G et al. (2010) Interpersonal goals and change in anxiety and dysphoria in first-semester college students. J Pers Soc Psychol 98:1009-24

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