Self-concept Clarity Mediates the Relation between Stress and Subjective Well-being

Timothy D. Ritchie, Constantine Sedikides, Tim Wildschut, Jamie Arndt, Yori Gidron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three studies tested the extent to which self-concept clarity mediates the relation between different types of stressful life events and subjective well-being, independently of neuroticism. In Study 1 (N = 292), self-concept clarity fully mediated the relation between stress from various sources (e.g., work, social rejection) and subjective well-being. In Study 2 (N = 127), self-concept clarity partially mediated the relation between meaninglessness (i.e., perceptions of life as meaningless) and subjective well-being. In Study 3 (N = 78), self-concept clarity partially mediated the relation between self-discontinuity (i.e., perceptions of discontinuity between past and present self) and subjective well-being. Across studies, an alternative mediation model was unsupported. The findings provide an impetus for theoretical and empirical advancements in understanding how self-concept clarity may play a role in the impact of stress on subjective well-being.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)493-508
Number of pages16
JournalSelf and Identity
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Existential threat
  • Self
  • Self-concept clarity
  • Stress
  • Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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