Self-esteem Regulation Research Articles

Proaktywność i defensywność autonarracji o poczuciu własnej wartości u osób narcystycznych – wstępna analiza

Studies on narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder often emphasize the key role of self-esteem in the mechanisms of this disorder. In previous studies, self-esteem has often been treated as a permanent feature of an individual and has been tested using self-report questionnaires or, in some cases, using experimental methods. Assuming that self-esteem may differ depending on the situation, different methods should be used in order to observe and study the processes related to it. In order to collect self-narratives for the purposes of the study, a semi-structured interview method was prepared to examine the self-esteem regulation in social situations. During the interview, the participant answers questions related to personal life experiences. Based on the content of interviews of participants with a high level of narcissistic traits selected from 20 conducted interviews, a preliminary analysis of the proactivity and defensiveness of self-narratives was conducted. The analysis mainly concerns the autonarratives of experiences related to failures and conflicts as events particularly significant for the self-esteem of an individual. The results of the preliminary analyzes allow us to present conclusions regarding proactivity and defensiveness as well as the characteristics of self-narratives referring to self-esteem in narcissistic group.

Testing and treatment-by-attitude in psychotherapy for pathological narcissism: A clinical illustration.

Pathological narcissism is a personality constellation comprising distorted self-image, maladaptive self-esteem regulation, and difficulties in intimate relationships. Patients with elevated pathological narcissism may not necessarily meet criteria for narcissistic personality disorder, and may seek treatment for a range of mental health concerns across various clinical settings. An understanding of key principles of control-mastery theory(CMT) can help clinicians understand the specific goals and challenges of the individual patient with pathological narcissism, and can illuminate ways in which the patient may work in psychotherapy. This paper outlines how patients with pathological narcissism may engage in testing of their pathogenic beliefs, and how therapists can respond in ways that facilitate the patient's sense of safety and foster psychological work. The role of the therapist's attitude is highlighted as a means for countering pathogenic beliefs associated with pathological narcissism. Clinical material from a single case of time-limited supportive psychotherapy will be used to illustrate these principles and associated therapeutic processes. Insights from CMT regarding pathogenic beliefs and the patient's plan for addressing them can help to explain how therapy works or does not work for patients with pathological narcissism.

Harmonization of the relationship of adolescent athletes with the immediate social environment as a resource for strengthening self-esteem

The analysis of literary sources showed the relevance of studying the disclosure of personal resources of athletes under the influence of the environment in the dynamics of the development of relationships, as well as the importance of studying a complex of relationships with various groups of people from the immediate social environment. Mutual understanding, support and satisfaction from communication in a social group are important conditions for the disclosure of the internal resources of the individual. The factor hindering the formation of self-esteem was the multidirectional influence on the self-esteem of adolescents of the family environment, peers and the coach. The purpose of the study was to test the assumption about the possibility of strengthening the self-esteem of adolescents through a targeted impact on their relationships with the immediate social environment. The assumption was tested in a formative experiment lasting six months, aimed at harmonizing the relationship of teenage athletes with a coach, parents, and comrades in joint training. The results of a six-month formative experiment showed that the applied methodology provided a solution to the problem. During the experiment, the phases of restructuring the relationship of adolescent athletes with the social environment were identified, including the destruction of the structure of existing relationships after three months and the formation of a new system of relations after six months. This indicates the need and importance of long-term influences that allow achieving a restructuring of the regulation of self-esteem and the need to be wary of short-term formative influences.

A study of emotional intelligence in an Egyptian sample of offspring of patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundEmotional intelligence is usually a construct measured in healthy children, now it may be used for relatives of schizophrenia, and considered as trait marker for schizophrenia. Offspring of parents with schizophrenia are considered children with high familial risk for major mental disorder. The aim of the study is to assess emotional intelligence in a group of off springs of a parent with schizophrenia and compare them to healthy control subjects, and to find possible relation between emotional intelligence in offspring and profile of symptoms in schizophrenic parents.ResultsOffspring of parents with schizophrenia had lower scores of emotional intelligences than their matched controls in emotion perception, self-esteem, low impulsivity and emotion regulation’s subsets of TEIQue-CF. There was correlation between offspring trait emotional intelligence and their parent’s duration of illness. There was no correlation found between schizophrenia severity in the parents and their offspring’s trait emotional intelligence.ConclusionsOffspring of parents with schizophrenia had impaired trait emotional intelligence in some of its facets when compared to normal healthy subjects.

Semi-structured interview for self-esteem regulation research

There are numerous controversies in research exploring personality dynamics and intrapsychic processes, e.g. insufficient insight provided by available measures such as self-report questionnaires. As a consequence, new methods are developed. Some of the recent theories indicate that self-esteem is not a stable personality trait, but a dynamic construct fluctuating as a result of (mostly) social interactions. I present a semi-structured interview protocol as a method of data collection which can provide rich verbal and non-verbal material referring to self-esteem regulation. Analysis system is not included as there can be many different approaches to use collected data, e.g. qualitative content analysis or narrative inquiry methods. In this paper, I present exemplary statements of participants corresponding to every part of the interview. The examples are explained considering theoretical background. Finally, the strengths and limitations of presented method are discussed, as well as possible research areas to explore with it.

Shattered Dignity and Unsymbolized Past: Facing the Legacy of a Totalitarian System

The author aims to make meaning of some of the effects of the social trauma inflicted by the totalitarian system in a former communist country by exploring the relationship between individual psychology and sociocultural context. She hypothesizes that the totalitarian regime inflicted damage on the narcissism of individuals whose attempts at healing through intergenerational narcissistic regulation of self-esteem and self-concept and/or through investment in totalitarian states of mind ensure the perpetuation of a pathological frame of reference. Oppression has a devastating impact on the individual’s ego state structure, thus hindering the maturation process. Without the healing of one’s dignity and the shame, pain, and hatred instilled by an oppressive system, individuals cannot play a constructive and creative role in building a “good-enough” world.

Self-handicapping and self-deception: A two-way street

ABSTRACT Deflationists reduce self-deception to a motivated bias, eliminating the need for doxastic tension, divided minds, intentions, or even effortful action. While deflationism fits many cases, there are others that demand more robust psychological processes and complexity. We turn to the empirical literature on self-handicapping to find commonplace examples of self-deception with high levels of agential involvement. Many self-handicappers experience non-trivial doubts, engage in strategic and purposive self-deception, and possess knowledge that must remain unconscious for their project to succeed. This occurs with self-handicapping for the sake of self-esteem regulation. Such self-handicapping not only requires self-deception but also furthers it.

Treatment Evaluation in Inpatient Psychiatry: Transdiagnostic Factors as Correlates of Treatment Outcome - Implications for Clinical Practice and for Effectiveness Research

An inpatient psychiatric-psychotherapeutic treatment was evaluated in a naturalistic setting (effectiveness research). Transdiagnostic factors were examined as correlates of treatment outcome. Self-report questionnaires were administered at the beginning and the end of the inpatient treatment. The sample (N = 378) consisted of women and men (16-80 years, M = 40.4, SD = 15.8) with primary diagnoses of depressive, anxiety or eating disorders. The average treatment duration was 8.2 weeks (SD = 3.8). Primary outcome variables were severity of symptoms and level of psychosocial functioning. As transdiagnostic correlates, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and emotion regulation were included in the regression analyses. The change in transdiagnostic factors explained a significant proportion of the treatment outcome (explained variance: 8-27 % self-efficacy, 23-42 % self-esteem, 10-26 % emotion regulation). The present study shows that the evaluation of a treatment in a naturalistic clinical setting is feasible. Transdiagnostic factors explained a substantial part of the statistical variance in treatment outcome across all disorders. Even if the present study design does not allow conclusions about causality, the results underline the relevance of transdiagnostic trainings (e. g., in emotion regulation) to improve effectiveness of treatment approaches.

Voicing the Victims of Narcissistic Partners: A Qualitative Analysis of Responses to Narcissistic Injury and Self-Esteem Regulation

Addressing an underresearched aspect of narcissism, this study investigated subclinical “grandiose” and “vulnerable” narcissism within the context of domestic violence. Common triggers evoking narcissistic rage and differences in narcissistic injury response were explored. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with seven participants who reported being in a relationship with a narcissistic partner were thematically analyzed. Three overarching themes emerged: (a) overt and covert expressions of abuse, (b) challenge to self-perceived authority, and (c) fear of abandonment. Findings suggest both grandiose and vulnerable narcissists’ reactions to narcissistic injury are most likely covertly and overtly aggressive and violent; however, the underlying motives for the behavior differed. For grandiose narcissists, violence was commonly triggered by threats to self-esteem, whereas vulnerable narcissists commonly experienced significant injury and rage from fear of abandonment. It is argued that attempts to regulate and restore self-esteem for the two subtypes of narcissistic presentation will differ, thus providing further support for theoretical distinctions between grandiose and vulnerable narcissists in intimate relationships. It is concluded that popular images of the narcissist are overly simplistic as the personality trait is more complex than the grandiose type typically presented. This study contributes new understanding to the nature of narcissism in domestic violence. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Narcissism and Its Discontents

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article From the ExpertsFull AccessNarcissism and Its DiscontentsGlen O. Gabbard,M.D., , Holly Crisp-Han,M.D.Glen O. Gabbard,Search for more papers by this authorM.D., , Holly Crisp-Han,Search for more papers by this authorM.D.Published Online:17 May 2018https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2018.5b12Glen O. Gabbard, M.D., is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and a training and supervising analyst at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston. Holly Crisp, M.D., is a clinical associate professor at Baylor and a faculty member at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston. They are the authors of Narcissism and Its Discontents: Diagnostic Dilemmas and Treatment Strategies With Narcissistic Patients, which APA members may purchase at a discount.The term “narcissism” has seized the popular culture in the last couple of years in a way that few might have imagined 10 years ago. Yet psychiatrists and mental health professionals continue to find the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) a vexing challenge that produces a good deal of discontent. Does pathological narcissism denote too much self-love? Profound insecurity? Low self-esteem? Too much self-esteem? Selfishness? Aloofness? A conviction that one is smarter, better looking, more fashionable, or better connected than others? Incapable of tuning in to what others are feeling or thinking? Used as an adjective, “narcissistic” may refer to someone who is thoroughly unpleasant and obnoxious, someone who bristles easily and is sensitive to slights, or someone whose success and confidence are envied.Almost everyone recognizes an attribute such as healthy self-interest as a kind of narcissism that involves self-care and pride in a job well done. Whether a self-serving behavior is pathological or not may depend on other factors, such as the phase of one’s life cycle. An adolescent girl who spends hours obsessing about how she wishes to appear in the photo she is about to place on social media may well be seen as “normal” for her stage in life. However, the same phenomenon in a 48-year-old would raise concern. To complicate matters further, one person labeled “narcissistic” may respond to a slight by having an emotional meltdown, while another with the same label may appear to be impervious to any insult because of his or her apparent self-confidence.The discontent of clinicians is also linked to the frustration they experience with their attempts to treat narcissistic patients, who may insist on dictating the conditions of treatment, ignore the comments of their psychiatrists, and “correct” their clinicians by indicating to them where they have gone wrong and pointing out what they should say and when they should say it. Moreover, these patients are often frustrating because some disappear from treatment abruptly without explanation. On the other end of the continuum, when these patients stick with treatment, it may be protracted with very little sign of change. Indeed, they may seem impervious to the observations of the clinician who is treating them and yet stay in treatment without making substantial improvements. These treatments may be among the longest and most arduous and may seem interminable.From the perspective of two psychiatrists who have treated many narcissistic patients over the years, we must conclude that NPD is nothing if not pleomorphic. It is a multi-headed hydra that may present in a variety of ways depending on the idiosyncrasies of the patient and the context in which the patient lives and works. Research suggests that there is a grandiose form of narcissism that fits the criteria of DSM-5, a vulnerable or hypervigilant variant that sees narcissistic injury around every corner, and a high-functioning type whose narcissism may surface only after a considerable period of knowing the person. However, narcissistic issues may also contribute to comorbidity in patients who present with primary mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.Hence, treatment must be tailored to the specific narcissistic subtype, the comorbid conditions, and the idiosyncrasies of the person with the disorder. Some narcissistic patients will agree to treatment only if it is on their terms and under their (somewhat omnipotent) control. Still others may quit abruptly when there is a small break in the clinician’s empathy or a confrontation that some of the difficulties in the patient’s life are his or her own responsibility. Fortunately, there are strategies that one can employ to help the patient out of his problems with self-esteem regulation. Some narcissistic patients can rise to the occasion and make substantial changes. There is an unfortunate stereotype that narcissistic individuals create distress in others but do not themselves feel distressed. This aphorism is misguided in that most narcissists feel desperately disappointed that they do not receive the admiration, acclaim, and love that they long for. Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can help them come to terms with the associated pain and longing. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Why giants need to learn effective communication

Our youngest children have a need to interact with their peers and with the adults in their lives, not only for language development but also to establish relationships, self-esteem, and behaviour regulation.

Play in natural environments: A pilot study quantifying the behavior of children on playground equipment

ABSTRACTPlayground design is critical to school-based practice, insuring access and use for all children. The play behavior of children with special needs is qualitatively and quantitatively different than their typically developing peers. However, empirical data is needed to support the therapeutic value of playground equipment used with school-aged children. Thirty-two hours of videotape was collected from 140 children who were typically developing (male = 56%) and 41 children with a variety of developmental disabilities including autism, ADHD, sensory and regulatory disorders (male = 76%), ages 3 to 15 years. Six pieces of playground equipment were analyzed using a behavioral coding system for sensory features, social interaction, self-regulation, motor skills, and play levels. Content validity of the behavioral coding scheme was obtained through a case study. Proprioception was enhanced through active use of the playground equipment. Increased verbalizations and positive affect were observed across all pieces of equipment. Symbolic play, novel use and motor planning were fostered. Regaining regulation and expressions of self-esteem were quantifiable. Correlations support relations between proprioception and social interaction; positive affect and social interaction; motor planning and self-esteem; and play levels with positive affect and social interaction. Improvements in regaining regulation, self-esteem, and postive affect were demonstrated through the case study analyses. Playground behaviors could be described using a behavioral coding scheme that includes sensory features, social interaction, self-regulation, motor skills, and play levels. This behavioral coding system validated the features of an inclusive playground and quantified the effectiveness of intervention.

The impact of emotional acknowledgement and self-esteem on resilience to family dysfunction

IntroductionFamily dysfunction can test the resilience of adolescents, specifically those from single parent families and those attending schools in more socio-economically challenged areas.ObjectivesTo determine what factors are associated with resilience for those from single parent families or attend schools in more socio-economically challenged areas.AimsTo examine the role of emotional regulation and self-esteem as putative resilience factors in the context of single parents status and socioeconomic disadvantage.MethodsSecondary school pupils from single and dual parent families aged 13 to 15 answered questionnaires at three time points on: emotional regulation, self-esteem, depression and anxiety. A total of 434 pupils took part at time 1, 574 at time 2, and 467 at time 3. The secondary schools were categorised into more and less disadvantaged schools.ResultsPositive self-esteem [F(1.205) = 54.568, P = 0.000; F(1.157) = 35.582, P = 0.000] and emotional regulation [F(1.205) = 46.925, P = 0.000; F(1.157) = 16.583, P = 0.000] were both associated with resilience against depression in adolescents from single parent families. Positive self-esteem [F(1,75) = 102.629, P = 0.000; F(1.355) = 60.555, P = 0.000] and emotional regulation [F(1.60) = 34.813, P = 0.000; F(1.73) = 36.891, P = 0.000] were both associated with resilience against depression in adolescents attending more socio-economically challenged areas.ConclusionsThis research suggests that adolescent resilience against depression may be promoted by improving self-esteem and emotional regulation. Therefore, future interventions could focus on boosting these resilience factors. Further resilience research could include emotional regulation and self-esteem as protective factors for resilience in adolescent mental health. As these variables have been identified, they can help find more pieces to the complex puzzle of resilience.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Butterflies

ABSTRACTThis essay illustrates group work with adolescent girls struggling with emotional dysregulation and maladaptive coping. Mutual aid and female empowerment are advanced through the development of interpersonal relationships and interaction related to stress management, adaptive coping strategies, diversity, healthy relationships, self-esteem, self-harm and emotional regulation.

The psychodynamic diagnostic manual - 2nd edition (PDM-2).

The psychodynamic diagnostic manual - 2nd edition (PDM-2).

Emotions experienced at event recall and the self: Implications for the regulation of self-esteem, self-continuity and meaningfulness

The intensity of positive affect elicited by recall of positive events exceeds the intensity of negative affect elicited by recall of negative events (fading affect bias, or FAB). The research described in the present article examined the relation between the FAB and three regulatory goals of the self: esteem, continuity and meaningfulness. The extent to which an event contributed to esteem (Study 1), continuity (Study 2) or meaningfulness (Study 3) was related to positive affect at event recall provoked by positive memories and to negative affect at event recall provoked by negative memories. The relation between affect experienced at recall and the three regulatory goals was bidirectional. The results showcase how individuals use recall for self-regulatory purposes and how they implement self-regulatory goals for positive affect.

Relations of Parent- and Coach-Initiated Motivational Climates to Young Athletes’ Self-Esteem, Performance Anxiety, and Autonomous Motivation: Who Is More Influential?

Motivational climate research has focused more empirical attention on coach-initiated motivational climate than on the parent-initiated climate. In this study of 238 competitive swimmers (ages 9–14 years), we compared the strength of relations between athletes’ late-season perceptions of coach and parent-initiated climates and their self-esteem, performance anxiety, and intrinsic–extrinsic motivation. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that parent-initiated motivational climate was a significant predictor of late-season self-esteem, trait anxiety, and autonomous regulation over and above coach-initiated motivational climate. We discuss when and why the parent-initiated climate is likely to be more influential and imply that more empirical attention to parents is warranted.

Оценка работников как основа построения системы управления персоналом на предприятиях сервиса

The article dwells upon the major methodological approaches to the development and implementation of a complex system of a service company’s employee performance assessment. The authors define the role and significance of employee performance assessment in the general framework of HR and organizational management. Special attention is paid to the essential principles and methods of employee performance assessment, the issues of the assessment procedure development and design, the current forms of personnel motivation to acquire new knowledge and skills. The authors consider the issues of employee self-esteem regulation, the impact of external and internal factors on the objective personnel assessment, and the automated employee performance assessment. Emphasis is laid on developing unconventional methods of employee performance assessment and improving the training of HR assessment experts.

What an Understanding of the Dynamics of Gossip Has to Teach About Group Dynamics and Group Leadership

Although what transpires in group therapy is not gossip per se–except perhaps when absent or former members are discussed–listening to group interaction through an understanding of the dynamics of gossip can contribute to a greater appreciation of group dynamics and group leadership as well as enlarge therapeutic space. After examining the interpersonal dynamics of gossip, this paper discusses six ways in which an understanding of these dynamics can inform group leadership and shed light on group psychotherapy. Central features of gossip that appear in group interactions are explored: These include projection, displacement, self-esteem regulation, clarification of motivation, unself-consciousness, social comparison and bonding, avoidance of psychic pain, and making the ego-syntonic dystonic. The lively use of imagination in the mature phase of group therapy is conceived of as the time when the darker side of human nature–imagined gossip harnessed for therapeutic purposes–can be welcomed in and processed in a kind, playful, and compassionate manner.

Self-Affirmation Buffers Claimed Self-Handicapping? A Test of Contextual and Individual Moderators

Researchers have argued that the strategies individuals use for self-esteem regulation are interchangeable. In the present study, we examined whether previous self-affirmation reduces the amount of subsequent claimed self-handicapping. More importantly, we tested potential moderators of these effects. Following negative feedback on an intelligence test, 56 female college students were given the opportunity to affirm themselves either within the threatened intelligence domain or within a domain unrelated to the source of threat (e.g., musicality). Results revealed that subjects handicapped less when they had previously affirmed themselves in a domain which was unrelated to the threatening domain (contextual moderator). However, these effects were moderated by dispositional self-esteem (individual moderator). High self-esteem participants claimed fewer handicaps the more they felt self-affirmed whereas claimed self-handicapping among low self-esteem participants was not affected by previous self-affirmation. Altogether, our findings suggest certain limitations on the substitutability of self-protection processes.