Benlik Karmaşıklığı ve İyilik Hali: Kısa Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Benlik karmaşıklığı, benliğin birbiriyle örtüşmeyen yönleri olarak tanımlanır. Linville'in öncü araştırması, benlik karmaşıklığının iyilik halindeki rolüne dikkat çekmiştir. Temel öneri, benlik karmaşıklığının strese karşı bir tampon vazifesi görebileceğidir; benliğin bir yönü tehdit edildiğinde, benliğin zarar görmemiş diğer yönleri bireyin öz benliğini koruyacaktır. Linville'in önermelerini takiben, birçok araştırmacı, benlik karmaşıklığının, depresyon ve duygusal sıkıntı gibi çeşitli iyilik hali çıktıları üzerindeki rolünü test etmiştir. Bu çalışmaların bulguları benlik karmaşıklığının işlevleri açısından karışıktır. Benlik karmaşıklığının olumlu sonuçları olduğunu destekleyen bulgular olsa da bazı araştırmalar benlik karmaşıklığının iyilik hali üzerindeki olumsuz ve külfetli etkisini ortaya koymuştur. Farklı araştırmalar arasındaki tutarsızlık, ölçüm problemleri ve araştırmacıların benlik karmaşıklığını nasıl ele aldığı ile ilgili olabilir. Bu yazı, benlik karmaşıklığıyla ilgili temel bulgularını ele almakta ve benlik karmaşıklığının tampon etkisinin gösterdiği koşulları tartışmaktadır.

Keywords

• benlik karmaşıklığı
• iyilik hali
• farklı benlikler
• stres
• tampon etkisi

Self-Complexity and Well-Being: A Short Evaluation

Abstract

Self-complexity is defined as nonoverlapping aspects of the self. The pioneering research of Linville underlined the role of self-complexity in well-being. The basic proposition is that self-complexity can act as a buffer against stress; when one aspect is threatened, the other undamaged aspects of the self will protect the individual's core self. Following Linville's propositions, several researchers tested the role of self-complexity on various well-being outcomes such as depression and emotional distress. Results of these studies are mixed in terms of the functions of self-complexity. Even though there is support for the positive effects of self-complexity, some studies revealed the negative and burdening effect of self-complexity on well-being. The inconsistency between different studies may be related to measurement problems and how researchers approached self-complexity. This paper addresses basic findings of self-complexity and discusses the conditions in which the buffering effect of self-complexity is observed.

Keywords

• self-complexity
• well-being
• distinct selves
• stress
• buffering effect

References

1. BROWN, G., & RAFAELI, E. (2007). Components of self-complexity as buffers for depressed mood. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 21(4), 310–333.
2. DIXON, T. M., & BAUMEISTER, R. F. (1991). Escaping the self: The moderating effect of self-complexity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 17, 363–368.
3. DONAHUE, E. M., ROBINS, R. R., ROBERTS, B. W., & JOHN, O. P. (1993). The divided self: Concurrent and longitudinal effects of psychological adjustment and social roles on self-concept differentiation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 834–846.
4. GRAMZOW, R. H., SEDIKIDES, C., PANTER, A. T., & INSKO, C. A. (2000). Aspects of self-regulation and self-structure as predictors of perceived emotional distress. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 188–205.
5. KOCH, E. J., & SHEPPERD, J. A. (2004). Is self-complexity linked to better coping? A review of the literature. Journal of Personality,72, 727–760.
6. LUO, W., WATKINS, D., & LAM, R. Y. H. (2008). Measuring self-complexity: A critical analysis of Linville's H Statistic. Journal of Applied Measurement, 9(4), 357–373.
7. LINVILLE, P. W. (1985). Self-complexity and affective extremity: Don’t put all your eggs in one cognitive basket. Social Cognition, 3, 94–120.
8. LINVILLE, P. W. (1987). Self-complexity as a cognitive buffer against stress related illness and depression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 663–676.

9. MCCONNELL, A. R., STRAIN, L. M., BROWN, C. M., & RYDELL, R. J. (2009). The simple life: On the benefits of low self-complexity. Society for Personality and Social Psychology, 35(7), 823–835.
10. PERRY, L. M., HOERGER, M., KOROTKIN, B. D., SAKS, S. J., & DUBERSTEIN, P. (2020). Self-complexity and socio-emotional adjustment to a romantic event in early adulthood. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37, 1268–1281.
11. RAFAELI-MOR, E., GOTLIB, I. H., & REVELLE, W. (1999). The meaning and measurement of self-complexity. Personality and Individual Differences, 16, 230–245.
12. RAFAELI-MOR, E., & STEINBERG, J. (2002). Self-complexity and well-being: A review and research synthesis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6, 31–58.
13. ROTHERMUND, K., & MEİNİGER, C. (2004). Stress-buffering effects of self-complexity: Reduced affective spillover or self-regulatory processes. Self and Identity, 3, 263–281.
14. RYAN, R. M., LAGUARDIA, J. G., & RAWSTHOME, L. J. (2005). Self-Complexity and the authenticity of self-aspects: Effects on well-being and resilience to stressful events. North American Journal of Psychology, 7 (3), 431–448.
15. SMITH, H. S., & COHEN, L. H. (1993). Self-complexity and reaction to a relationship breakup. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 12, 367–384.
16. SOLOMON, A., & HAAGA, D. A. F. (2003). Reconsideration of self-complexity as a buffer against depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27(5), 579–591.
17. WOOLFOLK, R. L., GARA, M. A., AMBROSE, T. K., WILLIAMS, J. E., ALLEN, L. A., IRVIN, S. L., & BEAVER, J. D. (1999). Self-complexity and persistence of depression. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 187, 393–399.