Aspects of self-regulation and self-structure as predictors of perceived emotional distress

Research on the link between the self and emotional distress has produced m any measures that have unknown conceptual and empirical interrelations. The authors identified two classes of self-related variables shown previously to be important predictors of emotional distress. The first class, termed s elf-regulatory variables, included ego-resiliency, ego-control, ego-strengt h, and hardiness. The second class, termed self-structure variables, includ ed self-complexity, self-discrepancy, self-consistency, self-attitude ambiv alence, and role conflict. Using a two-step structural equation modeling (S EM) strategy, the authors examined first the factor structure of this set o f measures. Second, they determined that Elasticity and Permeability (two s elf-regulatory factors) accounted for unique variance in the prediction of perceived emotional distress (Agitation and Dejection), whereas Self-Discre pancy and Self-Complexity (two self-structure factors) did not.