Incremental relations between self-understanding and social functioning beyond personality traits in young adults
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Personality traits are well-established predictors of social functioning, but contemporary models of personality distinguish between personality traits and self-understanding, including reflecting on one’s mental states and the degree of coherence in the self-concept. This study examined whether self-understanding serves as a unique predictor of social functioning beyond personality traits. Additionally, it was explored whether self-understanding moderated the association between traits and social functioning. Participants (n = 859) completed measures on reflective functioning, self-concept clarity, personality traits, and social functioning. Self-Concept Clarity, Extraversion and Agreeableness, had significant, incremental effects on social functioning. Interaction effects were not significant. Results suggests that the ability to root experience in a coherent self-understanding provides valuable information about individual differences in social functioning.
Authors: Lennart Kiel, Majse Lind, Adam T. Nissen, Wiebke Bleidorn, Christopher J. Hopwood
Institutions: Aarhus University, Aalborg University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,730
OpenAlex ID: W4404011656