RELATIONSHIP STATUS AND SELF-ESTEEM IN REGARD TO INDIVIDUALISTIC AND COLLECTIVISTIC MINDSETS

Abstract

In previous research, psychologists have vastly examined the relationship between a person’s relationship status (e.g., single or coupled) and its impact on various psychological attributes (e.g., self-esteem). When it comes to the concept of self-esteem specifically, researchers have not yet investigated the relationship between how relationship status and self-esteem levels may impact those, who based on their mindsets, may rely more on being in a relationship for their well-being than others. In the current study it was hypothesized that relationship status would have a greater influence on the self-esteem of participants with a collectivistic mindset, such that being in a relationship would link to higher self-esteem levels than being single. Twenty-six participants were examined on various self-report questionnaires examining feelings of self-worth and cultural mindsets. Results showed that there were no differences in the self-esteem levels of participants identifying with either cultural mindset. Further, there were no differences in the self-esteem levels of participants when considering their relationship status. The geographical status of participants could have impacted the results. Future research should consider conducting such a study in a different location that does not have such high levels of cultural assimilation as found in the USA.

Keywords: self-esteem, cultural mindset, individualism, collectivism, romantic relationships