THE STRESS BUFFERING EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem has been shown to moderate the stress-illness relationship , although the mechanisms by which this occurs has not been directly t ested. This research examined the potential moderating influence of se lf-esteem on stress appraisal and reactivity in a stress-inducing labo ratory exercise. Two experiments examined whether participants who are exposed to a high self-esteem manipulation show less stress responsiv ity. The results from Study 1 (N=53) revealed the expected effect: par ticipants in the high self-esteem group reported experiencing less str ess and achieved better performance on the Stroop task. The results fr om Study 2 (N=29) pointed to differences in underlying autonomic react ivity, with the high self-esteem group demonstrating less heart-rate a rousal during a social performance task. These studies suggest that se lf-esteem may moderate against the pernicious effects of stress via th e primary appraisal process. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.