Self-Complexity, Self-Evaluation, and Depression: An Examination of Form and Content Within the Self-Schema

Six studies examined the relationship between self-complexity and variables related to self-evaluation. Self-complexity was found to comprise two components: positive self-complexity and negative self-complexity. Positive self-complexity was sensitive to methodological factors, namely, variations in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1995-06, Vol.68 (6), p.1108-1120
Main Authors: Woolfolk, Robert L, Novalany, James, Gara, Michael A, Allen, Lesley A, Polino, Monica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Depression
Depression - psychology
Female
Human
Humans
Individuality
Internal-External Control
Major Depression
Male
Medical sciences
Mental depression
Mental stress
Mood disorders
Personality
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Relationship
Schema
Self Concept
Self evaluation
Self image
Self-Esteem
Selfcomplexity
Selfevaluation
Social psychology
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Summary:Six studies examined the relationship between self-complexity and variables related to self-evaluation. Self-complexity was found to comprise two components: positive self-complexity and negative self-complexity. Positive self-complexity was sensitive to methodological factors, namely, variations in stimulus materials used for self-ratings. Negative self-complexity was relatively stable in the face of different rating stimuli and tasks and was related to trait measures of self-evaluation, psychic distress, and psychopathology. These findings were observed and replicated. Higher negative self-complexity was associated with increases in depression symptoms over time. Higher negative self-complexity also predicted a poorer prognosis and less complete recovery from depression in a clinical sample. Results are discussed in light of related research and possible social-cognitive mechanisms.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.68.6.1108