Does self-concept differentiation really damage mental health?: Exploring the role of expectancy from others

Abstract

There have been a myriad of studies focusing on self-concept-in-situation. However, it has yet to be empirically clarified why self concept may change, depending on the context. Based on previous studies, it was hypothesized that expectation from others peculiar to a situation will influence changes in self-concept. Also, the relationship between self-concept change and mental health was examined. Although studies in self-concept differentiation have shown that changes in self concept are a sign of maladaptation, this study forwarded that changes in the direction toward the expectations from others should be regarded as adaptive. Thus, self-concept change along with expectations, were hypothesized to positively relate to situation-specific self-evaluation and global mental health. Results supported these hypotheses except for mental health. The relationship between self concept change and self-monitoring was also examined, and it was determined that sensitivity to expressive behavior of others have a positive influence on self concept change. The difference between the effects of the two components of self-monitoring on self concept change was discussed, and it was concluded that further exploration of social situations are warranted.View full abstract