The role of self-enhancing evaluations in a successful life transition.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate how self-enhancing evaluations, obtained via positive social comparisons and reflected appraisals, were related to mental health in a later life transition. The sample consisted of 266 women who were interviewed once before and 3 times after the experience of community relocation. Results extended prior findings suggesting the dynamic impact of self-enhancing evaluative processes on psychological well-being and depressive symptoms. Additional analyses showed evidence for reverse causality, that is, that mental health also influenced self-evaluative processes. This study underscores the significance of holding a positive view of self vis-à-vis others in negotiating life challenges as well as the reciprocal influence of well-being on social self-evaluative processes.

Life satisfaction, health, self-evaluation and sexuality in current university students of sport sciences, education and natural sciences

“…Particularly the subcomponents of satisfaction with appearance, selfconfidence and self-assurance, abilities and skills, and vitality significantly saturate the overall level of satisfaction with own person in the students of sport sciences. Self-evaluation is a source of life success of an individual, his/her social position and prestige (Kwan, Love, Ryff, & Essen, 2003). Self-image/self-conception is developed on the basis of interaction experience (Hogg, 2000).…”

La actitud positiva y el bienestar: un análisis del ciclo vital de la esperanza de vida sana y la esperanza de vida feliz a nivel individual en el Brasil y México

“…Las autoevaluaciones positivas se traducen en mayores niveles de felicidad y altruismo, mayor disposición de participar en actividades sociales, mayores probabilidades de alcanzar las metas y menores niveles de depresión (Kwan y otros, 2003). Según algunos estudios, el mecanismo subyacente que vincula el optimismo con el bienestar puede relacionarse con las conexiones neuronales del cerebro humano.…”

Exploring the Commonalities Between Adaptive Resources and Self-Enhancement in Older Adults' Comparative Judgments of Physical Activity

“…Indeed, the reverse scenario is equally plausible. That is, a high degree of life satisfaction could be the reason why some older adults are self-enhancing, optimistic, feeling in control, engaging in downward social comparison, and so on (Kwan et al, 2003). The questions that motivated this research did not concern the causal direction of these relationships, but whether they signified one underlying process or many.…”

“…For example, in a prospective study of older women who underwent community relocation, Kwan, Love, Ryff, and Essex (2003) showed that the women who made more self-enhancing social comparisons at the time of relocating reported less depression and greater well-being 6 months later. Similar findings with respect to mood and life satisfaction have been reported in studies that experimentally manipulated older adults' opportunity to self-enhance against a given target for social comparison (Bailis & Chipperfield, 2006;Frieswijk, Buunk, Steverink, & Slaets, 2004 (2005) found, in a sample of older adults, that self-enhancing comparative judgments were prospectively associated with lower odds of hospitalization and greater odds of survival over 6 years.…”