Self and peer-ratings of self-esteem and cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stressors in cadets
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Past research has indicated that self-esteem has multiple dimensions. It has been suggested that defensive high self-esteem makes one vulnerable to ego-threat and might be reflected in discrepancies between peer- and self-ratings. The purpose of this study was to observe how self- and peer-rated self-esteem affect cardiovascular reactivity to ego-threatening stressors (cold pressor and toughness-challenging interview) in nineteen military college cadets. High/low groups of self-esteem were formed based on peer- and self-ratings. Cadets in the low self-rating group showed evidence of a mixed (myocardial and vascular) response; cadets in the high peer-rating group showed higher myocardial and lower vascular reactivity. Cadets with high peer- /low self-ratings (defensive high self-esteem) had a greater blood pressure increase during interview preparation than participants with high peer-/high self-ratings. The present findings suggest that secure high self-esteem, as reflected by agreement between self- and peer-ratings, may be the only way to ensure low vulnerability to stress.
Authors: Samantha D. Price, Kaitlin M. Harrison, Alex D. Green, Keith A. Kline
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2903311097