The level of self‐esteem may influence the effect of positive self‐statements. An eeg alpha asymmetry pilot study

Abstract

(1) Background: Affirmative statements are widely recognized as a reliable tool that en-hances personal resources to manage life demands, including stress‐coping and emotional adapta-bility. However, recent data suggest that contrary effects can be obtained regarding the global self-esteem level. The current study focused on an approach for recognizing affirmation‐induced re-sponses in electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha asymmetry. (2) Methods: EEG data were collected from a total of 45 males (16–20 years) on a baseline condition and compared to EEG data produced when listening to positive self‐statements, regarding self‐esteem as a covariate. (3) Results: The study revealed relative left‐frontal alpha asymmetry, indicating an approach‐related motivational state, and right alpha asymmetry in parieto‐temporal regions, indicating lower anxiety. This increased with higher self‐esteem scores, with a more prominent moderation effect in experimental conditions. These results support and extend previous reports suggesting an adverse effect of positive self‐statements for people with lower global self‐esteem. (4) Conclusions: Positive self‐state-ments may produce a differing physiological effect regarding an individual’s global self‐esteem level, with an adverse effect for people with lower self‐esteem scores. These data highlight the need to consider differentiation of psychological approaches between people with higher and lower self-esteem levels.