Authenticity as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Power Contingent Self-Esteem and Subjective Well-Being.

Yi’Nan Wang,Ziyi Li

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01066

Abstract

Drawing on Eastern wisdom and Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan, 1995), the current study conceptualized a new form of maladaptive self-esteem, the power contingent self-esteem, which is extremely contingent on one’s sense of power, and posits it is related to low subjective well-being by making people experience less authenticity. In Study 1, we found that general power contingent self-esteem was consistently linked to low subjective well-being. More importantly, the negative relationship between power contingent self-esteem and subjective well-being was mediated by authenticity. Study 2 further confirmed the mediation effect between power contingent self-esteem role and satisfaction through authenticity across four different roles (work, romance, friendship, and parent–child relationships). The finding of the negative relationship between power contingent self-esteem and subjective well-being via authenticity contributes to understanding the complicated association between power, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.

Highlights

Power considerations are omnipresent in human being’s everyday life (Keltner et al, 2003; Anderson et al, 2012)
Drawing on the research linking contingent self-esteem to decreased connection between internal needs and external performance, the current study proposed the power contingent self-esteem is associated with lower subjective well-being (SWB), which is defined as a person’s affective and cognitive appraisal of one’s life (Diener et al, 1985), through decreased authenticity
We found that Power Contingent Self-Esteem (PCSE) predicted authenticity (b = −0.40, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01), which held even after controlling for sex, age, and social desirability (b = −0.31, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

Power considerations are omnipresent in human being’s everyday life (Keltner et al, 2003; Anderson et al, 2012). We are still far from understanding the complicated relationship between power, self-esteem, and well-being. Drawing on the research linking contingent self-esteem to decreased connection between internal needs and external performance, the current study proposed the power contingent self-esteem is associated with lower subjective well-being (SWB), which is defined as a person’s affective and cognitive appraisal of one’s life (Diener et al, 1985), through decreased authenticity. The main purpose of current study is to investigate whether and how power contingent self-esteem exerts effects on people’s SWB. Understanding these relationships will contribute to enhancing people’s well-being through knowing how to navigate the relation between power and self-esteem

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion