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Self-complexity as a cognitive buffer against stress-related illness and depression
Abstract
This prospective study tested the self-complexity buffering hypothesis that greater self-complexity moderates the adverse impact of stress on depression and illness. This hypothesis follows from a model that assumes self-knowledge is represented in terms of multiple self-aspects. As defined in this model, greater self-complexity involves representing the self in terms of a greater number of cognitive self-aspects and maintaining greater distinctions among self-aspects. Subjects completed measures of stressful events, self-complexity, depression, and illness in two sessions separated by 2 weeks. A multiple regression analysis used depression and illness at Time 2 as outcomes, stressful life events and self-complexity at Time 1 as predictors, and depression and illness at Time 1 as control variables. The Stress X Self-Complexity interaction provided strong support for the buffering hypothesis. Subjects higher in self-complexity were less prone to depression, perceived stress, physical symptoms, and occurrence of the flu and other illnesses following high levels of stressful events. These results suggest that vulnerability to stress-related depression and illness is due, in part, to differences in cognitive representations of the self.
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“Life designs or self-systems that involve a diversified, multifaceted structure of goals and personal projects will generally enhance flexible accommodation of goals; this assumption converges with findings suggesting that high ''self-complexity'' renders persons less vulnerable to depression (Linville, 1985(Linville, , 1987)).”
From The Life-Course Dynamics of Goal Pursuit and Goal Adjustment: A Two-Process Framework (2002) · cites this paper as Linville, 1987
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Metadata
- Authors
- Linville, P. W.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Linville, Patricia W.
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 1987
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 663-676
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2041602752
- Cited by
- 1,399
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 58 · 2014: 52 · 2013: 58 · 2012: 45
- FWCI
- 19.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (1 R03 MH 38066-01)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- self-complexity, stress buffering, stress-related disorders, self-aspects, self-knowledge, life events, perceived stress, somatic symptoms, influenza
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adjustment Disorders, Adult, Cognition, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Psychological Tests, Psychophysiologic Disorders, Self Concept, Sick Role, Stress, Psychological
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