Low Self-concept Clarity Research Articles

Prospective associations among self-concept clarity, appearance comparisons, and thin-ideal internalization

ABSTRACT This study examined the prospective association between self-concept clarity and sociocultural appearance processes (internalization of the thin-body ideal and appearance-based social comparisons). Adolescent girls (n = 153; mean age = 15.76 years) completed measures at two separate timepoints, three months apart. Path analysis showed that lower self-concept clarity prospectively predicted higher thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparisons. In contrast, the reverse model showed that thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparisons did not prospectively predict self-concept clarity. Finally, including self-esteem in the model showed that self-concept clarity, but not self-esteem, prospectively predicted thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparisons. These findings suggest that low self-concept clarity may increase vulnerability to sociocultural appearance processes that increase the risk for body dissatisfaction.

Unclearly immoral: Low self-concept clarity increases moral disengagement.

This research examines the effect of self-concept clarity (i.e., having self-beliefs that are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable) on moral behavior. Seven preregistered studies (N = 3,373) document that low (vs. high) self-concept clarity decreases moral behavior (e.g., donation, volunteering, tax compliance, honesty in an incentivized game). This effect occurs because low self-concept clarity increases moral disengagement, leading people to behave in morally questionable manners without damaging their self-concept. As evidence for this proposed underlying mechanism, we show that the effect of self-concept clarity on moral behavior is mediated by state moral disengagement and attenuates (a) among people with low trait moral disengagement, (b) among people with high trait moral identity internalization, and (c) in the presence of an honor pledge cueing moral engagement. We then show that the effect holds only when a prosocial act is congruent with personal values. Overall, these findings contribute to the literature on self-concept and moral self-regulation and have implications for how to promote morality and curb unethical behavior in society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Unclearly Immoral: Low Self-Concept Clarity Increases Moral Disengagement

Supplemental Material for Unclearly Immoral: Low Self-Concept Clarity Increases Moral Disengagement

Escape from an unclear self: Escapism mediates the association that self-concept clarity has with psychological distress

We investigated whether the associations that self-concept clarity had with indicators of psychological distress were mediated by the forms of escapism referred to as self-suppression (engaging in activities in an effort to avoid unpleasant mental processes) and self-expansion (engaging in activities in order to experience growth). The indirect associations that self-concept clarity had with psychological distress through self-suppression and self-expansion were examined in college students (Study 1; N = 270), Cosplayers (Study 2; N = 45), and Furries (Study 3; N = 191). Across these three studies, self-concept clarity had very large associations with psychological distress and negative associations with self-suppression that ranged from small to large in magnitude. Further, engaging in activities for the purpose of self-suppression mediated the associations that self-concept clarity had with various indicators of psychological distress with the most consistent associations emerging for depression. In contrast, self-concept clarity did not have consistent associations with the motivation to engage in activities for the purpose of self-expansion nor did self-expansion consistently mediate the associations that self-concept clarity had with the indicators of psychological distress. These findings indicate that engaging in activities for the purpose of self-suppression may play an important role in the link between low self-concept clarity and psychological distress.

Borderline Personality Features and Self-Injurious Urges: The Roles of Self-Concept Clarity and Bedtime Self-Critical Rumination

ABSTRACT Low self-concept clarity is associated with self-injurious urges among persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Self-critical rumination may potentially exacerbate these associations. Yet empirical research on how self-critical rumination and self-concept clarity interact is scarce. We examined near-term associations between bedtime self-critical rumination, self-concept clarity, and self-injurious urges among adolescents who met at least 3 diagnostic criteria for BPD (N = 22; 63.6% girls/women; M age = 16.45). Participants were sent five daily mobile surveys for 20 days (1691 total assessments completed). Bedtime self-critical rumination moderated concurrent associations between self-concept clarity and self-harm wishes, but not suicide desires. Lower self-concept clarity was associated with elevated self-harm wishes only among participants with moderate to high bedtime self-critical rumination. Findings provide a preliminary step toward understanding the link between self-concept clarity and self-injurious urges.

Self-concept clarity in social anxiety: psychometric properties and factor structure of the Self-Concept Clarity Scale in a social anxiety disorder sample

ABSTRACT Background The Self-Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses self-concept clarity (SCC). Previous research has identified a relationship between lower SCC and higher levels of social anxiety. As a measure of positive psychological well-being, the SCCS can be used as a tool to examine and monitor SCC in populations with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who appear to be susceptible to inconsistent or unstable self-concept. However, the scale has yet to be validated with a SAD sample. Methods A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the SCCS data of sample of 87 individuals who met criteria for a diagnosis of SAD (M = 20.15, SD = 3.55; 83% female) and the reliability, convergent validity and norm scores of the SCCS with a SAD were also investigated. Results Results of the CFA supported a unidimensional factor structure. The SCCS was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .80) and SCCS scores were found to correlate with measures of psychological distress and social fears, however, no correlation was found with measures of social anxiety behaviours. Also, overall results found that the SAD sample scored lower on SCC than other clinical samples in previous literature. Conclusions These findings suggest that the SCCS is a psychometrically sound measure with unidimensional factor structure and demonstrated reliability and validity with a SAD sample, although additional research is warranted to replicate and extend the results of the current research.

Low self-concept clarity reduces subjective well-being: the mediating effect of materialism

Low self-concept clarity reduces subjective well-being: the mediating effect of materialism

Why Do People Sometimes Wear an Anonymous Mask? Motivations for Seeking Anonymity Online.

Anonymous environments are more accessible than ever. As such, it is important to understand not only how anonymity can change human behavior but also why people are motivated to seek anonymity in online spaces. In four studies, we investigated differences in motivations for seeking anonymity online and their associations with related dispositional factors and online behavior. We found that some people were motivated to seek anonymity to self-express or behave toxically. Both motivations to seek anonymity were associated with low self-concept clarity and high Machiavellianism but differed in their relation to traits such as self-consciousness and psychopathy. Further analyses suggested that people selectively engage in behaviors in anonymous online environments, in line with the specific gratifications they seek through anonymity. We conclude that people seek anonymity to pursue self- or other-related goals that are otherwise more difficult or costly to pursue when identifiable.

The mediating role of preference for online interactions in the relationship between self-knowledge and problematic use of social networks

The present research investigated the relationships between two self-concept variables (i.e., discrepant self-esteem and low self-concept clarity) and problematic use of social networking sites (SNs). Based on earlier evidence, we expected that these relationships would be mediated by one’s preference for online interactions. A sample of 176 Italian teenagers (71% female, Mage = 16.81 years) completed self-reported questionnaires that assessed their implicit and explicit self-esteem, self-concept clarity, problematic SNs use, and loneliness (to statistically control for its influence). Our hypotheses were supported only in the case of low self-concept clarity, not in the case of discrepant self-esteem. We found problematic SNs use in the case of teens with low self-concept clarity and convergent high self-esteem (i.e., high implicit and high explicit self-esteem), and these relationships were mediated by the preference for online interactions. These results suggest that the preference for online interactions is an important mediator variable that should be considered as a change mechanism in the relationships between self-concept variables and problematic SNs usage.

The Role of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Problematic Instagram Use in the Relationship Between Self-Concept Clarity and Body Disconnection: A Serial Mediation Model.

By combining authors who hypothesized that modern technology has greatly increased people's ability and people's possibility to distance themselves from their embodied awareness and those who have shown that communication through social media is more congenial to people with a tendency towards perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP), this study analyses the influence of self-concept clarity (SCC) in bodily dissociation (BD) and hypothesizes that people with a low SCC are more prone to BD and that PSP and problematic Instagram use (PIU) may play a serial mediating role in this relationship. Two hundred and 19 women (Mage = 31.8 ± 11.25) completed an online survey that included the Italian-validated versions of the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Scale of Body Connection and the Bergen Facebook Scale modified for Instagram use. A Serial Mediation Model (Hayes's PROCESS Model 6) shows that both PSP and PIU significantly serially mediate the association between SCC and BD (β = -.025 SE = .011, 95% CI = [-.0498, -.0070]) and that there is a mediating effect of PIU between SCC and BD (β = -.04 SE = .020, 95% CI = [-.0865, -.0098]), but no mediating effect of PSP between SCC and BD was found (β = -.052 SE = .031, 95% CI = [-.1184, +.0039]). A possible explanation is that people with low SCC try to avoid others noticing their imperfections because they fail to integrate it into their self-concept and tend to use Instagram in a problematic way because this tool allows them to largely control the information they share. This use, in turn, alters their state of mind-body connection and this increases the disconnection from one's bodily sensations. The absence of mediation by the PSP between SCC and BD and the presence of PIU mediation between SCC and BD underlines the importance of technology in this relationship. The implications and limitations of this study will be discussed.

Relationship between Materialism and Social Networking Site Addiction among Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

Materialism has been consistently linked to Internet-related addictions, including compulsive online shopping, problematic online gaming, and excessive smartphone use; however, the relationship between materialism and social networking site (SNS) addiction has remained unclear. Thus, this study aims to examine the association between materialism and SNS addiction and investigate the mediating effect of fatalism and moderating effect of self-concept clarity in this relationship among 703 Chinese adolescents. Materialism was significantly positively associated with SNS addiction in adolescents, and fatalism partially mediated this association. Moreover, self-concept clarity moderated the direct and indirect relationships between materialism and SNS addiction. Specifically, for adolescents with low (versus high) self-concept clarity, those who also had high levels of materialism were more likely to develop fatalistic beliefs and showed further symptoms of SNS addiction. This study’s findings imply that decreasing materialism and fatalism and developing self-concept clarity might be effective interventions for reducing SNS addiction among adolescents.

“Feeling shattered and ephemeral”: How do positive and negative symptoms affect self-concept clarity among individuals experiencing psychosis?

PurposeIncoherence in sense of self in schizophrenia may mask individuals' ability to perceive reality accurately, and cause them to feel alienated from themselves and others. This descriptive correlational study investigates the relationship between positive and negative symptoms in relation to self-concept clarity (SCC) in schizophrenia. MethodA sample of 200 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited to complete the Self-Concept Clarity Scale and were rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-version 4.0). ResultsA strong inverse correlation between positive and negative symptoms in relation to SCC (r = 0.242, P < 0.001, and r = 0.225, P = 0.001, respectively). ConclusionThe overall BPRS scores were identified as independent precursors of low SCC.

Self-concept clarity and processing self-relevant information: An event-related potential study

ABSTRACT Self-concept clarity (SCC) refers to the extent to which self-beliefs are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable. While there is an abundance of research showing an association between SCC, well-being, and effective self-regulation, there is little knowledge about how SCC relates to basic cognitive processes such as attention and memory. Drawing on the attentional function theory of cognitive control, we hypothesized that low SCC is associated with greater attentional control during a trait assessment task. We also expected that low SCC individuals retrieve self-related information from semantic memory less efficiently compared to high SCC individuals. Fifty participants took part in the ERP study. The P300 and N400 components were measured as electrophysiological indices of attentional and semantic processing. The results showed that individuals with low SCC had larger P300 amplitude in response to positive versus negative words, and marginally larger P300 amplitude in response to positive words compared to high SCC individuals. These results suggest greater attentional involvement in the processing of positive self-related information in people with low SCC. There were no significant differences between groups in N400 amplitude. The results are discussed in the context of the relationship of SCC to self-esteem and self-motive theory.

Testing the Identity Disruption Model among Adolescents: Pathways Connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences to Body Dissatisfaction

The Identity Disruption Model posits that early adversity is associated with lower self-concept clarity, which in turn increases vulnerability to sociocultural appearance factors and body dissatisfaction, but this model has not previously been tested among adolescents. Testing the model during adolescence is critical because this is a key point of development of both identity and body dissatisfaction. This paper presents two studies with adolescents recruited through social media (Study 1: n = 213; 78% female; mean age = 15.7 years, SD = 1.14) and from high schools (Study 2; n = 228; 43% female; mean age = 13.8 years, SD = 1.15). In both studies, self-reported early adversity was associated with lower self-concept clarity; lower self-concept clarity was associated with greater internalization of appearance ideals and more frequent appearance comparisons; and internalization and appearance comparisons were associated with greater body dissatisfaction. This research builds on previous sociocultural models of body dissatisfaction by pointing to processes that occur early in life that could be potential targets of intervention and prevention efforts.

Identity and Personality Pathology: A Convergence Across the DSM-5 Personality Disorder Model and the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders.

Long-standing theory regarding personality pathology as well as the recently proposed DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) posit that self/identity problems are a hallmark feature cutting across forms of personality pathology. With emergence of the AMPD, researchers have started to focus empirical investigations on identity pathology as a transdiagnostic factor across personality pathology. The current study investigated identity pathology across indicators of personality pathology from both the current categorical perspective (DSM-5 PD) and the dimensional perspective in the AMPD. Identity diffusion and low self-concept clarity were correlated with all PD feature scales and all maladaptive personality dimension scales. Regression analyses revealed most indicators of personality pathology were significant correlates of identity diffusion and low self-concept clarity. Borderline and Avoidant PD feature scales and Negative Affectivity and Detachment maladaptive personality dimension scales emerged as the strongest correlates of identity pathology. The role that identity pathology plays in personality pathology is highlighted.

The self and empathy: Lacking a clear and stable sense of self undermines empathy and helping behavior.

Empathy is fundamental to social functioning. Although empathy involves sharing the emotional experience of another, research also highlights the importance of distinguishing the self from the other for optimal empathic responding. Without adequate self-other distinction, sharing another person's emotions can induce personal distress, a self-focused aversive reaction that often leads to withdrawing from the situation, rather than empathic concern, an other-oriented response of care. To date, no work has examined the psychological factors that might facilitate such self-other distinction in the context of empathy. We show that self-concept clarity (SCC), the extent to which the self is clearly defined, coherent, and temporally stable, predicts empathic responding. In Study 1 (N = 453, student sample), we show that low SCC is associated with more dispositional empathic personal distress and less empathic concern. We replicate these dispositional associations in Study 2 (N = 319, community sample) and, using Batson's classic Katie Banks paradigm, show that these associations hold in an actual empathy-inducing situation. Moreover, in Study 2, SCC predicts helping behavior, an effect that is mediated by feelings of personal distress and empathic concern. Finally, in Study 3 (N = 658, community sample), we again use the Katie Banks paradigm but in an experimental framework; consistent with Study 2, state SCC predicts empathic personal distress, empathic concern and helping behavior. Our findings highlight the importance of a clear, coherent and stable self-concept for empathy, and suggest that interventions aimed at increasing empathy may be futile in the presence of a weak and unclear sense of self. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Questioning Gender and Sexual Identity in the Context of Self-Concept Clarity, Sense of Coherence and Value System.

Sexual and gender identity is a fundamental part of one’s overall identity and plays an important role in human functioning. Questioning one’s sexuality associated with low level of self-concept clarity, certainty, consistency and stability with regard to the individual’s beliefs about oneself, can affect their sense of coherence and value system. The aim of the study was to compare heterosexual and cisgender people with non-heteronormative and non-cisgender people regarding their attitudes and the way they perceive significant personal values. It was assumed that non-heterosexual and non-cisgender individuals would have lower self-concept clarity and lower sense of coherence, and that among them such values as openness to change and transcending Self would be dominant. The study was conducted on a group of 337 individuals aged 18 to 30. The participants filled out four self-report online questionnaires. Self-concept clarity was found to be connected with a greater tendency to question one’s sexual and gender identity. The results also indicate differences between heterosexual/cisgender participants and non-heterosexual/non-cisgender participants in terms of the degree of self-concept clarity and sense of coherence. Non-heteronormative and cisgender individuals show a greater tendency to question their identity and have lower self-concept clarity, which may lower their sense of coherence.

Low Self-Concept Clarity Inhibits Self-Control: The Mediating Effect of Global Self-Continuity.

Whether and how self-concept clarity (SCC) affects self-control has not been sufficiently explored in empirical research. We proposed that low SCC inhibits self-control through a lower sense of global self-continuity. The results of five studies provided converging support for our mediation model (N = 898). Compared with participants with high SCC, participants with low SCC scored lower on self-control scales (Studies 1 and 2), spent less time practicing to improve their performance on a tedious task (Study 3), and were less likely to stay focused on an ongoing task (Study 4) or to adhere to the exercise plan to stay healthy (Study 5). Global self-continuity mediated the effects of low SCC on self-control (Studies 1-5) even after emotional affect (Study 5) and self-esteem (Studies 4 and 5) were controlled for. These findings highlight the importance of fostering SCC for coping with self-control failures.

The Interplay Between Childhood Sexual Abuse, Self-Concept Clarity, and Dissociation: A Resilience-Based Perspective.

Despite a robust consensus regarding the potentially negative implications of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), research investigating risk and protective factors-particularly among well-functioning young adults-is scant. Dissociation is one of the major maladaptive outcomes of CSA. Nevertheless, CSA explains only about 10% of the variance of dissociation. Possibly, this modest effect size is due to protective factors moderating the relation between CSA and dissociative symptoms. One such factor may be the extent to which one has succeeded in developing a clear and coherent sense of who they are. We aimed to explore whether self-concept clarity (SCC) moderates the relationship between CSA and dissociation (Model 1), and an alternative hypothesis, whereby CSA may moderate the relationship between SCC and dissociation (Model 2). This was tested among 65 well-functioning young women drawn from an earlier study that intentionally oversampled CSA survivors. We included data from survivors of CSA by a known perpetrator (n = 35) and women with no sexual trauma (n = 30). Findings were consistent with both Model 1 and Model 2, but only when depersonalization-derealization, namely detachment, was considered. Simple effects analyses revealed that CSA was related to depersonalization-derealization only under low SCC levels (Model 1), and SCC was negatively related to depersonalization-derealization only in the CSA group (Model 2). Findings suggest that SCC is a protective factor, buffering the association between CSA and detachment (depersonalization-derealization) symptoms. Clinical implications are discussed.

Incorporating physical appearance into one’s sense of self: Self-concept clarity, thin-ideal internalization, and appearance-self integration

ABSTRACT We tested the hypothesis that individuals who lack a clear sense of their own identity incorporate their physical appearance into their sense of self. Study 1 (162 female students; 262 female community members) found that individuals low in self-concept clarity were more likely to consider their physical appearance an important part of their personal identity. Study 2 (278 female community members) and Study 3 (289 female community members) showed that the connection between low self-concept clarity and the tendency to define one’s identity in terms of one’s appearance was explained by thin-ideal internalization. Results are discussed in the context of the potential negative consequences, such as body dissatisfaction, that can come from defining one’s self in terms of one’s appearance.