Take a step back to see your own value: on the role of metacognition in self-esteem regulation.

INTRODUCTION

When self-esteem is threatened (e.g., by social rejection), people regulate it through self-enhancement, self-protection, or self-affirmation. High self-esteem individuals use functional strategies like self-affirmation and self-enhancement, while those with low self-esteem rely more on self-protection strategies. This study explored whether decentering, a metacognitive process, aids in accessing resources and promoting functional self-esteem regulation.

METHODS

1,100 participants (age 18-65, 72% female) completed questionnaires online. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether decentering mediates the association between self-esteem and self-enhancement, self-affirmation and self-protection.

RESULTS

Self-esteem positively predicted decentering, which promoted self-affirmation and self-enhancement. The decentering factor positively predicted self-protection, while the factor reduced it. Decentering significantly mediated all three strategies.

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest that enhancing decentering could improve self-esteem regulation and inform therapeutic interventions. Strengthening an accepting self-perception may help individuals with low self-esteem adopt protective strategies. Fostering a distanced perspective could further promote self-affirmation, leading to better mental health outcomes.