Disentangling the Relationships Among Self-Reflection, Insight, and Subjective Well-Being: The Role of Dysfunctional Attitudes and Core Self-Evaluations

Abstract

Central to many psychological schools of thought is the notion that self-reflection leads to self-insight which, in turn, leads to enhanced well-being. However, empirical research has found that although self-insight is typically associated with well-being, self-reflection is frequently not associated with self-insight or well-being. Past attempts to understand this conundrum have tended to focus on the role of ruminative self-refection. Using a different approach this study investigates the roles of dysfunctional attitudes and positive core self-evaluations. Using data from 227 participants, two key findings are reported: first, dysfunctional attitudes suppress the relationship between self-reflection and self-insight; and second, positive core self-evaluations mediate the relationship between self-insight and subjective well-being. These two findings imply that a path exists from self-reflection to subjective well-being through self-insight and positive core self-evaluations. This path model was found to be a good fit. Implications for future research and positive psychological practice are discussed.

A scalable goal-setting intervention closes both the gender and ethnic minority achievement gap

“…Indeed, self-regulation does appear to be enhanced when specific goals are set (Latham and Locke, 1991), particularly when people contrast a fantasized ideal future with present reality (Oettingen et al, 2001), as was required during the current intervention. Guided reflection on goals as it was used in the current intervention may help elicit metacognitive awareness, help reflect on detailed goal-setting and goalmonitoring strategies, and as such enhance self-regulation (Lyke, 2009;Stein and Grant, 2014). Indeed, reflection can be helpful in making sense of prior experiences and may improve future functioning (for a review see Schippers et al, 2013;Ellis et al, 2014).…”

Autorreflexão e insight como dimensões da autoconsciência privada: uma revisão da literatura

“…Dentro desse contexto, pode-se entender que autorreflexão e "insight" são demandados nas fases de monitoramento e avaliação, respectivamente, de modo que o indivíduo seja capaz de ajustar as estratégias por ele empregadas (Grant et al, 2002). A autorreflexão responderia pelo monitoramento dos próprios pensamentos, sentimentos e comportamentos; enquanto o "insight", pela habilidade de compreendê-los, avaliálos sob diferentes e novas perspectivas e expressálos (Grant et al, 2002), a fim de tecer julgamentos e autorregular-se (Hays et al, 2002;Stein & Grant, 2014). A concepção de "insight" utilizada por Grant et al (2002), diferentemente da concepção cognitivista difundida pela expressão o "momento Aha" (Stein & Grant, 2014), não envolve uma reação emocional ou um sentimento súbito do indivíduo em relação à solução de um problema (Kounios & Beeman, 2009).…”

“…A autorreflexão responderia pelo monitoramento dos próprios pensamentos, sentimentos e comportamentos; enquanto o "insight", pela habilidade de compreendê-los, avaliálos sob diferentes e novas perspectivas e expressálos (Grant et al, 2002), a fim de tecer julgamentos e autorregular-se (Hays et al, 2002;Stein & Grant, 2014). A concepção de "insight" utilizada por Grant et al (2002), diferentemente da concepção cognitivista difundida pela expressão o "momento Aha" (Stein & Grant, 2014), não envolve uma reação emocional ou um sentimento súbito do indivíduo em relação à solução de um problema (Kounios & Beeman, 2009). Trata-se, por outro lado, de uma tendência ou característica do indivíduo de, ao direcionar-se propositadamente a uma mudança, entender com clareza aspectos de si mesmo e das situações que a ele se apresentam (Stein & Grant, 2014).…”

Promoting Youth Mental Health via Text‐Messages: A New Zealand Feasibility Study

“…Although such an analysis was beyond the scope of this study, this issue of the depth of processing and reflection may also distinguish between those who found the questions challenging and appealing versus those who felt they were too hard or boring. Studies on the links between self‐reflection and subjective well‐being suggest that self‐reflection which leads towards rumination is negatively associated with subjective well‐being (Harrington & Loffredo, ), whereas self‐reflection leading to insight and positive self‐evaluation enhances subjective well‐being (Stein & Grant, ).…”