Executive Self, Self-Esteem, and Negative Affectivity: Relations at the Phenotypic and Genotypic Level.

Abstract

Complementary approaches examined the relations among executive self, self-esteem, and negative affectivity. A cross-sectional (N ϭ 4,242) and a longitudinal (N ϭ 158) study established that self-esteem mediated the relation between executive self and negative affectivity. A 3rd study (N ϭ 878 twin pairs) replicated this pattern and examined genetic and environmental influences underlying all 3 phenotypes. Covariation among the 3 phenotypes reflected largely common genetic influences, although unique genetic effects explained variability in both executive self and negative affectivity. Executive self was influenced by shared environmental influences unique from those affecting self-esteem and negative affectivity. Nonshared environmental influences accounted for the majority of variance in each construct and were primarily unique to each. The unique genetic and nonshared environmental influences support the proposition that the executive self, self-esteem, and negative affectivity capture distinct and important differences between people.

Self-esteem fluctuations and cardiac vagal control in everyday life

“…However, previous research suggests good reliability and validity of singleitem measures of global self-esteem (Robins et al, 2001). We also want to emphasize that this measure was reliably associated with both NA and depressive symptoms, which is in accordance with previous studies and supports the validity of this scale (e.g., Judge et al, 2002;Neiss et al, 2005;Nezlek et al, 1997). Moreover, it should be noted that applying multiple-item measures of the same construct is not feasible in EMA studies with multiple assessments throughout a day because it may considerably decrease adherence with the study protocol.…”

“…Finally, to get a more comprehensive view of the psychophysiological concomitants of self-esteem in everyday life, we also assessed negative affect (NA). NA and emotional instability have been found to be negatively associated with self-esteem in a number of studies (e.g., Judge et al, 2002;Lightsey et al, 2006;Lorr and Wunderlich, 1988;Neiss et al, 2005;Richter and Ridout, 2011), although this relationship has not yet been explored in a daily-life setting.…”

Genetic influences on level and stability of self-esteem

“…Neuroticism may be one candidate for such a route, although empirical evidence for a genetic correlation between neuroticism and perceived stability has yet to be established. Selfesteem level shares common genetic influences with neuroticism (Roberts & Kendler, 1999) and broad negative affectivity (Neiss, Stevenson, Sedikides, Kumashiro, Finkel, & Rusbult, 2005). It may well be that genetic influences on both level and perceived stability of self-esteem can be explained by genetic influences on neuroticism.…”

I feel good, therefore I am real: Testing the causal influence of mood on state authenticity

“…That is, positive mood facilitates the retrieval of favorable self-related information, whereas negative mood facilitates the retrieval of unfavorable self-related information. Perhaps this differential accessibility of positive versus negative self-related information contributes to the sense of authenticity or inauthenticity, respectively.Experiment 3 enabled us to test this proposition.Self-esteem represents a global, valenced evaluation of the self (Brown, Dutton, & Cook, 2001;Sedikides & Gregg, 2003), and it has strong theoretical and empirical links to both affect (Brown & Marshall, 2001;Neiss et al, 2005) and authenticity (Goldman, 2006;Heppner et al, 2008;Wood et al, 2008). As with authenticity, affect is typically viewed as an outcome of, rather than a precursor to, self-esteem (Pyszczynski, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt, & Schimel, 2004;Sedikides & Alicke, 2012).…”