Does Contingent Self-esteem Increase During Higher Education?

作者：Hallsten Lennart^*; Rudman Ann; Gustavsson Petter

来源：Self and Identity, 2012, 11(2): 223-236.

DOI：10.1080/15298868.2010.544872

• Self-worth
• Self-esteem
• Motivation/goal setting
• Adult personality development
• Educational psychology

Contingent self-esteem has been identified as a marker of psychological vulnerability. The assumption that contingent self-esteem is influenced by socialization processes was examined in a prospective national cohort study of 1,220 Swedish nursing students during their three-year education. Contingent self-esteem was annually assessed by a measure of performance-based self-esteem. Mean levels of performance-based self-esteem increased from the first to the later years of education, and the increase over one year was greater for the nursing students than for a matched group of work employees. These data suggest that participation in higher education could be associated with increased contingent self-esteem. The findings also introduce questions about whether investment in a professional role may foster vulnerability, thereby raising issues for the social investment principle.

• 出版日期2012