| dc.description.abstract | Contingent self-esteem is the extent to which self-esteem is contingent upon outcomes and achievement (Kernis, 2002). It has been explored in Western settings extensively, however limited studies have been done with non-Western samples, especially in mainland China. The purpose of this study is to get a better picture of contingent self-esteem in different domains among Chinese early and late adolescents, and how contingent self-esteem is related to global self-esteem and depressive symptoms with a Chinese sample. Culture and social values may influence the development of contingent self-esteem (Bandura, 1986, 1991). Under the influence by Confucianism, Chinese culture emphasizes social harmony and moderation (Xu, Farver, Schwartz, & Chang, 2004). In Chinese families, the individual exists in order to continue the family (Baker, 1979). And in Chinese society, emphasis on child education has become part of Chinese culture (Chu & Yu, 2010). These culture and value differences between China and Western countries could possibly influence Chinese adolescents' contingent self-esteem to some extent, and the impact of contingent self-esteem on Chinese adolescents could be different than on Western adolescents. Two hundred and seventy-seven junior high school students and two hundred and eighty-six college students were recruited to participate in the study. Three measures--the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Contingencies of Self-worth Scale--were used to test participants' global self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and contingent self-esteem. Generally speaking, the findings of the study suggested contingency in others' approval domain was a negative predictor of global self-esteem and had a positive correlation with depressive symptoms. Competition contingent self-esteem and Family Love contingent self-esteem, however, were positive predictors for global self-esteem and negative predictors for depression. Since studies showed that self-esteem contingencies are related to numerous deleterious outcomes among American adolescents, these findings suggest possible cultural influences on the impact of contingent self-esteem on psychological health. In addition, the findings of the study could be a useful source to further understand Chinese adolescents' behaviors, psychological health, and other related areas, and it may also shed light on how to boost Chinese adolescents' self-esteem and how to reduce their depression. | |
