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Self-Handicapping and Its Impact on Mental Health

Year 2016, , 145 - 154, 24.01.2016
https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.13806

Abstract

Self handicapping is characterized by experiencing anxiety at succeeding a mission although the person has the capacity to fulfill the assignment or duty. It describes one’s showing tendency to link own failures to problems in own performance instead of own abilities to protect oneself from the possibility of failure. When individuals care about performance much but doubt about success, they display self-handicapping strategies to protect their self. Self-handicappers try to protect their self by internalizing successes and externalizing failures. This strategies help them feel well in both successes and failures. Self-handicapping becomes a trait of personality in time and the individual begins to use it continuously as a negative coping mechanism to protect his/her self and to avoid failures. These actions eliminates the capability of rational thinking and prevents solution of the problems as a result of irrational interpretations. Self-handicapping causes the decrease of life satisfaction and motivation, and causes the increase of maladaptation, negative mood, somatic symptoms and alcohol-drug abuse. As a conclusion, self-handicapping hinders performance and this negative performance influences adaptation and psychological well-being. The most essential approach to prevent occurrence of self-handicapping behaviours is empowerment of the self.

References

  • Abacı R, Akın A (2011) Kendini Sabotaj: İnsanoğlunun Sınırlı Doğasının Bir Sonucu. Ankara, Pegem Yayınları.
  • Akın A (2012) Kendini Sabotaj Ölçeği: geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Eğitim ve Bilim, 37:176-187.
  • Akın A (2012) Self-handicapping and burnout. Psychol Rep, 110:187-196.
  • Akın A, Abacı A, Akın U (2011) Self-handicapping: A conceptual analysis. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 3:1155-1168.
  • Alter AL, Forgas JP (2007) On being happy but fearing failure: the effects of mood on self-handicapping strategies. J Exp Soc Psychol, 43:947–954.
  • Arazzini Stewart A, De Leorge Wolker L (2014) Self-handicapping, perfectionism, locus of control and slef-efficacy: a path model. Pers Individ Dif, 66:160-164.
  • Berglas S, Jones EE (1978) Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success. J Pers Soc Psychol, 36:405-417.
  • Brown CM, Kimble CE (2009) Personal, interpersonal and situational influences on behavioral self-handicapping. J Soc Psychol, 149:160-164.
  • Christopher AN, Lasane TP, Troisi JD, Park LE (2007) Materialism defensive, and assertive self-presentational tactics, and life satisfaction. J Soc Clin Psychol, 26:1145–1162.
  • Conlon EG, Zimmer-Gembeck MJ, Creed PA, Tucker M (2006) Family history, self-perceptions, attitudes and cognitive abilities are associated with early adolescent reading skills. J Res Read, 29:11-32.
  • Coudevylle GR, Gernigon C, Ginis KAM (2011) Self-esteem, self-confidence, anxiety and claimed self-handicapping: a mediational analysis. Psychol Sport Exerc, 12:670-675.
  • Covington MV (2000) Goal theory, motivation, and school achievement: an integrative review. Annu Rev Psychol, 51:171–200.
  • Elliot AJ, Church MA (2003) A motivational analysis of defensive pessimism and self-handicapping. J Pers, 71:369-396.
  • Elliot AJ, Thrash TM (2004) The intergenerational transmission of fear of failure. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 30:957-971.
  • Harris RN, Synder CR, Higgins RL, Schrag JL (1986) Enhancing the prediction of self-handicaping. J Pers Soc Psychol, 51:1191- 1199.
  • Hendrix KS, Hirt ER (2009) Stressed out over possible failure: the role of regulatory fit on claimed self-handicapping. J Exp Soc Psychol, 45:51-59.
  • Higgins RL, Synder CR, Berglas S (1990) Self-handicapping: The Paradox that isn’t. New York, Plenum Press.
  • Hirt ER, Deppe RK, Gordon, LJ (1991). Self-Reported versus behavioral self-handicapping: empirical evidence for a theoretical distinction. J Pers Soc Psychol, 61:981-991.
  • Jones EE, Berglas S (1978) Control of attributions about the self through self-handicapping strategies: the appeal of alcohol and the role of underachievement. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 4:200-206.
  • Kazemi Y, Nikmanesh Z, Khosravi M (2014) Role of self-handicapping on prediction of the quality of life in primary students. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 3:61-68.
  • Kearns H, Forbes A, Gardiner M (2008a) A cognitive behavioural coaching interventıon for the treatment of perfectionism and self handicapping in a non-clinical population. Behav Change, 24:157-172.
  • Kearns H, Forbes A, Gardiner M, Marshall K (2008b) When a high distinction isn’t good enough: a review of perfectionism and self-handicapping. Aust Educ Res, 35:21-36.
  • Kolditz TA, Arkin RM (1982) An impression management interpretation of the self-handicapping strategy. J Pers Soc Psychol, 43:492-502.
  • Kuczka KK, Treasure DC (2005) Self-handicapping in competitive sport: influence of the motivational climate, self-efficacy, and perceived importance. Psychol Sport Exerc, 6:539-550.
  • Leary MR, Shepperd JA (1986) Behavioral self- handicaps versusu self-reported handicaps: a conceptual note. J Pers Soc Psychol, 51:1265-1268.
  • Maata S, Stattin H, Nurmi JE (2002) Achievement strategies at school: types and correlates. J Adolesc, 25:31–46.
  • Martin KA, Brawley LR (2002) Self-handicapping in physical achievement settings: the contributions of self-esteem and self- efficacy. Self Identity, 1:337-351.
  • Martin AJ, Marsh HW, Debus RL, Williamson A (2003) Self-handicapping, defensive pessimism, and goal orientation: a qualitative study of university students. J Educ Psychol, 95:617–628.
  • Martin AJ, Nejad H, Colmar S, Liem GAD, Collie RJ (2015) The role of adaptability in promoting cotrol and reducing failure Dynamics: a mediation model. Learn Individ Differ, 38:36-40.
  • McCrea SM, Hirt ER (2001) The Role of Ability judgments in self-handicapping. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 27:1378-1389.
  • Midgley C, Urdan T (2001) Academic self-hadicapping and achievement goals: a further examination. Contemp Educ Psychol, 26:61-75.
  • Pajares F (1996) Self-efficacy beliefs in academic settings. Rev Educ Res, 66:543–578.
  • Pulford BD, Johnson A, Awaida M (2005) A cross-cultural study of predictors of self-handicapping in university students. Pers Individ Dif, 39:727–737.
  • Rhodewalt F, Firfield M (1991). Claimed self-handicaps and the self-handicapper: the relation of reduction in intended effort to performance. J Res Pers, 25:402-417.
  • Rhodewalt F, Tragakis MW, Finnerty J. (2006) Narcissism and self-handicapping: linking self-aggrandizement to behavior. J Res Pers, 40:573–597.
  • Sansone RA, McLean JS, Wiederman MW (2008a) The ralationship between medically self-sabotaging behaviors and borderline personality disorder among psychiatric inpatients. J Clin Psychiatry, 10:448-452.
  • Sansone RA, Wiederman MW, McLean JS (2008b) The relationship between childhood trauma and medically self-sabotaging behaviors among psychiatric inpatients. Int J Psychiatry Med, 38:469-479.
  • Schlenker,BR, Laary MR (1982) Social anxiety and self-presentation: a conceptualization and model. Psychol Bull, 92:641-669.
  • Schwinger M (2013) Structure of academic self-handicapping-global or domain-spesific construct? Learn Individ Differ, 27:134- 143.
  • Shafran R, Mansell W (2001) Perfectionism and psychopathology: a review of research and treatment. Clin Psychol Rev, 21:879- 906.
  • Sherman DK, Cohen GL (2006) The psychology of self-defense: self-affirmation theory. Adv Exp Soc Psychol, 38:183-242.
  • Siegel PA, Scillitoe J, Parks-Yancy R (2005) Reducing the tendency to self-handicap: the effect of self-affirmation. J Exp Soc Psychol, 41:589–597.
  • Smith TW, Snyder CR, Perkins SC (1983) The self-serving function of hypochondriacal complaints: physical symptoms as self- handicapping strategies. J Pers Soc Psychol, 44:787-797.
  • Streamer L, Seery MD (2015) Who am I? The interactive effect of early family experiences and self-esteem in predicting self- clarity. Pers Individ Dif, 77:18-21.
  • Suddarth BH, Slaney RB (2001) An investigation of the dimensions of perfectionism in college students. Meas Eval Couns Dev, 34:157-165.
  • Tucker JA, Sobell MB, Vuchinich RE (1981) Alcohol consumption as a self-handicapping strategy. J Abnorm Psychol, 90:220-230.
  • Want J, Kleitman S (2006) Imposter phenomenon and self-handicapping: links with parenting styles and self-confidence. Pers Individ Dif, 40:961-971.
  • Warner S, Moore S (2004) Excuses, excuses: Self-handicapping in an Australian adolescent sample. J Youth Adolesc, 33:271-281.
  • Wolters CA, Yu SL, Pintrich PR (1996) The relation between goal orientation and students’ motivational beliefs and self-regulated learning. Learn Individ Differ, 8:211–238
  • Zuckerman M, Kieffer SC, Knee CR (1998) Consequences of self-handicapping: effects on coping, academic performance, and adjustment. J Pers Soc Psychol, 74:1619-1628.
  • Zuckerman M, Tsai FF (2005) Costs of self-handicapping. J Pers, 73:411–442.. Yeter Sinem Üzar Özçetin, Arş. Gör, Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara; Duygu Hiçdurmaz, Yrd.Doç.Dr., Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara.

Kendini Sabote Etme ve Ruh Sağlığı Üzerine Etkisi

Year 2016, , 145 - 154, 24.01.2016
https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.13806

Abstract

Kendini sabote etme davranışı, bireyin bir işi ya da görevi yerine getirebilecek kapasitede olmasına rağmen, bu işi başarıyla yapıp yapamayacağına yönelik endişe yaşaması ile karakterizedir. Bireyin başarısız olma olasılığından kendini korumak amacıyla başarısızlık durumlarını yeteneklerinden ziyade performansındaki sorunlara bağlama eğilimi göstermesini tanımlamaktadır. Bireyler performanslarını önemsediklerinde, ancak başarı olasılıklarından şüphe ettiklerinde, benliklerini korumak amacıyla kendini sabote etme davranışları sergilemektedirler. Kendilerini sabote eden kişiler başarılarını içselleştirerek, başarısızlıklarını ise dışsallaştırarak benliklerini korumaya çalışmaktadırlar. Bu durum bireylerin her iki durumda da yani hem başarısızlıklarında hem de başarılarında kendilerini iyi hissetmelerine hizmet etmektedir. Kendini sabotaj zamanla bireyin kişilik özelliği haline gelmektedir ve birey benliğini koruyabilmek, başarısızlıkları ile yüzleşmekten kaçınmak için olumsuz baş etme davranışı olarak bu stratejiyi sürekli olarak kullanmaktadır. Bu durum problemlerin gerçekçi şekilde değerlendirilmesini ortadan kaldırmakta, gerçekçi olmayan değerlendirmeler sonucunda sorunun çözümlenememesine neden olmaktadır. Kendini sabotaj zamanla birlikte bireyin yaşam doyumunun ve içsel motivasyonunun azalmasına, uyumsuzluk, olumsuz duygulanım, somatik semptomlar ve alkol ve madde kullanımı gibi olumsuz alışkanlıklarının artmasına neden olmaktadır. Sonuç olarak kendini sabotaj performansı engellemekte ve performans kaybı uyum ve psikolojik iyi olma üzerinde olumsuz etkilerde bulunmaktadır. Kendini sabote etme davranışlarının ortaya çıkmasını önlemek için yapılması gereken en önemli yaklaşım, benliğin güçlendirilmesidir.

References

  • Abacı R, Akın A (2011) Kendini Sabotaj: İnsanoğlunun Sınırlı Doğasının Bir Sonucu. Ankara, Pegem Yayınları.
  • Akın A (2012) Kendini Sabotaj Ölçeği: geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Eğitim ve Bilim, 37:176-187.
  • Akın A (2012) Self-handicapping and burnout. Psychol Rep, 110:187-196.
  • Akın A, Abacı A, Akın U (2011) Self-handicapping: A conceptual analysis. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 3:1155-1168.
  • Alter AL, Forgas JP (2007) On being happy but fearing failure: the effects of mood on self-handicapping strategies. J Exp Soc Psychol, 43:947–954.
  • Arazzini Stewart A, De Leorge Wolker L (2014) Self-handicapping, perfectionism, locus of control and slef-efficacy: a path model. Pers Individ Dif, 66:160-164.
  • Berglas S, Jones EE (1978) Drug choice as a self-handicapping strategy in response to noncontingent success. J Pers Soc Psychol, 36:405-417.
  • Brown CM, Kimble CE (2009) Personal, interpersonal and situational influences on behavioral self-handicapping. J Soc Psychol, 149:160-164.
  • Christopher AN, Lasane TP, Troisi JD, Park LE (2007) Materialism defensive, and assertive self-presentational tactics, and life satisfaction. J Soc Clin Psychol, 26:1145–1162.
  • Conlon EG, Zimmer-Gembeck MJ, Creed PA, Tucker M (2006) Family history, self-perceptions, attitudes and cognitive abilities are associated with early adolescent reading skills. J Res Read, 29:11-32.
  • Coudevylle GR, Gernigon C, Ginis KAM (2011) Self-esteem, self-confidence, anxiety and claimed self-handicapping: a mediational analysis. Psychol Sport Exerc, 12:670-675.
  • Covington MV (2000) Goal theory, motivation, and school achievement: an integrative review. Annu Rev Psychol, 51:171–200.
  • Elliot AJ, Church MA (2003) A motivational analysis of defensive pessimism and self-handicapping. J Pers, 71:369-396.
  • Elliot AJ, Thrash TM (2004) The intergenerational transmission of fear of failure. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 30:957-971.
  • Harris RN, Synder CR, Higgins RL, Schrag JL (1986) Enhancing the prediction of self-handicaping. J Pers Soc Psychol, 51:1191- 1199.
  • Hendrix KS, Hirt ER (2009) Stressed out over possible failure: the role of regulatory fit on claimed self-handicapping. J Exp Soc Psychol, 45:51-59.
  • Higgins RL, Synder CR, Berglas S (1990) Self-handicapping: The Paradox that isn’t. New York, Plenum Press.
  • Hirt ER, Deppe RK, Gordon, LJ (1991). Self-Reported versus behavioral self-handicapping: empirical evidence for a theoretical distinction. J Pers Soc Psychol, 61:981-991.
  • Jones EE, Berglas S (1978) Control of attributions about the self through self-handicapping strategies: the appeal of alcohol and the role of underachievement. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 4:200-206.
  • Kazemi Y, Nikmanesh Z, Khosravi M (2014) Role of self-handicapping on prediction of the quality of life in primary students. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 3:61-68.
  • Kearns H, Forbes A, Gardiner M (2008a) A cognitive behavioural coaching interventıon for the treatment of perfectionism and self handicapping in a non-clinical population. Behav Change, 24:157-172.
  • Kearns H, Forbes A, Gardiner M, Marshall K (2008b) When a high distinction isn’t good enough: a review of perfectionism and self-handicapping. Aust Educ Res, 35:21-36.
  • Kolditz TA, Arkin RM (1982) An impression management interpretation of the self-handicapping strategy. J Pers Soc Psychol, 43:492-502.
  • Kuczka KK, Treasure DC (2005) Self-handicapping in competitive sport: influence of the motivational climate, self-efficacy, and perceived importance. Psychol Sport Exerc, 6:539-550.
  • Leary MR, Shepperd JA (1986) Behavioral self- handicaps versusu self-reported handicaps: a conceptual note. J Pers Soc Psychol, 51:1265-1268.
  • Maata S, Stattin H, Nurmi JE (2002) Achievement strategies at school: types and correlates. J Adolesc, 25:31–46.
  • Martin KA, Brawley LR (2002) Self-handicapping in physical achievement settings: the contributions of self-esteem and self- efficacy. Self Identity, 1:337-351.
  • Martin AJ, Marsh HW, Debus RL, Williamson A (2003) Self-handicapping, defensive pessimism, and goal orientation: a qualitative study of university students. J Educ Psychol, 95:617–628.
  • Martin AJ, Nejad H, Colmar S, Liem GAD, Collie RJ (2015) The role of adaptability in promoting cotrol and reducing failure Dynamics: a mediation model. Learn Individ Differ, 38:36-40.
  • McCrea SM, Hirt ER (2001) The Role of Ability judgments in self-handicapping. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 27:1378-1389.
  • Midgley C, Urdan T (2001) Academic self-hadicapping and achievement goals: a further examination. Contemp Educ Psychol, 26:61-75.
  • Pajares F (1996) Self-efficacy beliefs in academic settings. Rev Educ Res, 66:543–578.
  • Pulford BD, Johnson A, Awaida M (2005) A cross-cultural study of predictors of self-handicapping in university students. Pers Individ Dif, 39:727–737.
  • Rhodewalt F, Firfield M (1991). Claimed self-handicaps and the self-handicapper: the relation of reduction in intended effort to performance. J Res Pers, 25:402-417.
  • Rhodewalt F, Tragakis MW, Finnerty J. (2006) Narcissism and self-handicapping: linking self-aggrandizement to behavior. J Res Pers, 40:573–597.
  • Sansone RA, McLean JS, Wiederman MW (2008a) The ralationship between medically self-sabotaging behaviors and borderline personality disorder among psychiatric inpatients. J Clin Psychiatry, 10:448-452.
  • Sansone RA, Wiederman MW, McLean JS (2008b) The relationship between childhood trauma and medically self-sabotaging behaviors among psychiatric inpatients. Int J Psychiatry Med, 38:469-479.
  • Schlenker,BR, Laary MR (1982) Social anxiety and self-presentation: a conceptualization and model. Psychol Bull, 92:641-669.
  • Schwinger M (2013) Structure of academic self-handicapping-global or domain-spesific construct? Learn Individ Differ, 27:134- 143.
  • Shafran R, Mansell W (2001) Perfectionism and psychopathology: a review of research and treatment. Clin Psychol Rev, 21:879- 906.
  • Sherman DK, Cohen GL (2006) The psychology of self-defense: self-affirmation theory. Adv Exp Soc Psychol, 38:183-242.
  • Siegel PA, Scillitoe J, Parks-Yancy R (2005) Reducing the tendency to self-handicap: the effect of self-affirmation. J Exp Soc Psychol, 41:589–597.
  • Smith TW, Snyder CR, Perkins SC (1983) The self-serving function of hypochondriacal complaints: physical symptoms as self- handicapping strategies. J Pers Soc Psychol, 44:787-797.
  • Streamer L, Seery MD (2015) Who am I? The interactive effect of early family experiences and self-esteem in predicting self- clarity. Pers Individ Dif, 77:18-21.
  • Suddarth BH, Slaney RB (2001) An investigation of the dimensions of perfectionism in college students. Meas Eval Couns Dev, 34:157-165.
  • Tucker JA, Sobell MB, Vuchinich RE (1981) Alcohol consumption as a self-handicapping strategy. J Abnorm Psychol, 90:220-230.
  • Want J, Kleitman S (2006) Imposter phenomenon and self-handicapping: links with parenting styles and self-confidence. Pers Individ Dif, 40:961-971.
  • Warner S, Moore S (2004) Excuses, excuses: Self-handicapping in an Australian adolescent sample. J Youth Adolesc, 33:271-281.
  • Wolters CA, Yu SL, Pintrich PR (1996) The relation between goal orientation and students’ motivational beliefs and self-regulated learning. Learn Individ Differ, 8:211–238
  • Zuckerman M, Kieffer SC, Knee CR (1998) Consequences of self-handicapping: effects on coping, academic performance, and adjustment. J Pers Soc Psychol, 74:1619-1628.
  • Zuckerman M, Tsai FF (2005) Costs of self-handicapping. J Pers, 73:411–442.. Yeter Sinem Üzar Özçetin, Arş. Gör, Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara; Duygu Hiçdurmaz, Yrd.Doç.Dr., Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara.
There are 51 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Review
Authors

Yeter Üzar Özçetin

Duygu Hiçdurmaz This is me

Publication Date January 24, 2016
Published in Issue Year 2016

Cite

AMA Üzar Özçetin Y, Hiçdurmaz D. Self-Handicapping and Its Impact on Mental Health. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar. January 2016;8(2):145-154. doi:10.18863/pgy.13806

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