The Relationship between Regional Gray Matter Volume of Social Exclusion Regions and Personal Self-Esteem Is Moderated by Collective Self-Esteem

Abstract

According to sociometer theory, self-esteem is an internal monitor of positive social bonds to others. Social exclusion can break or threaten social bonds, which might be reflected by the brain structure of social exclusion regions. Thus, self-esteem might be influenced by structurally individual differences in these regions. It has been suggested that self-esteem can be divided into personal (PSE) and collective (CSE) self-esteem and CSE can bring individuals many benefits, such as acceptance, belonging, and social support, which could further maintain or increase their PSE. Based on this, we hypothesized that CSE might moderate the relationship between structurally individual differences in social exclusion regions and PSE. Therefore, in the present study, the moderating effect of CSE on the relationships between PSE and individual differences in regional gray matter volume (rGMV) of 10 social exclusion regions from previous meta-analysis of social exclusion were investigated using voxel-based morphometry. The results showed that CSE played a moderating role in the relationship between PSE and rGMV of the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Specifically, PSE was positively associated with rGMV of left PCC in lower CSE, while there was no significant relationship between PSE and rGMV of left PCC in higher CSE. Therefore, we believe that compared with a higher CSE, because of lack of acceptance, belonging, and social support from valued groups, lower CSE individuals might be more prone to be influenced by social exclusion with decreased rGMV of the left PCC, which makes them more prone to develop lower PSE.

The relationship between self-esteem and self-concept clarity is modulated by spontaneous activities of the dACC

“…For example, Blackhart et al ( 2009 ) found that social exclusion did not affect self-esteem, although it did elicit some negative emotions. The results from neuroimaging studies also showed that the dACC was not related to self-esteem (Wu et al, 2017 ) or the distress elicited by social exclusion (Kross et al, 2007 ), but self-esteem was related to the functions of the dACC when processing self-related stimuli (Yang et al, 2012 ) and negative feedback on the self (Peng et al, 2019 ). However, it should be noted that self-esteem can be further divided into contingent and true self-esteem (Deci and Ryan, 1995 ; Ryan and Deci, 2017 ).…”

“…Self-esteem is an attitude based on positive and negative self-evaluations (Rosenberg, 1965 ; Yang et al, 2016 ; Wu et al, 2017 ). Self-concept clarity refers to the degree to which the contents of self-concept are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and temporarily stable (Campbell et al, 1996 ; Findley, 2013 ).…”

School climate and academic burnout in medical students: a moderated mediation model of collective self-esteem and psychological capital

“…The former is the overall positive evaluation and acceptance of individuals to themselves [ 25 , 26 ], while the latter is the individual’s evaluation and perception of the value of the group he or she belongs to, which emphasizes a sense of collective value, respect and belonging [ 27 ]. In the context of Chinese collectivist culture, self-esteem, with its strong collective and social overtones, has also become a focus of research [ 28 , 29 ]. Existing studies also indirectly support the mediating path of school climate - collective self-esteem - academic burnout.…”