Self-Esteem and Perceived Regard: HowI See Myself Affects My RelationshipSatisfaction

摘要

The authors explored the relations among self-esteem, perceived regard, andsatisfaction in dating relationships. On the basis of the dependency regulation model (T.DeHart, B. Pelham, & S. Murray, 2004), the authors hypothesized that self-esteem wouldinfluence individuals' self-perceptions and views of how their partners perceive them(metaperception). They also hypothesized that perceived regard (self-perception minusmetaperception) would predict relationship satisfaction. Regression analyses indicatedthat for moderate relationship-relevant traits (i.e., caring, loving), high self-esteem wasassociated with self-enhancement (idealization), whereas low self-esteem was associatedwith self-deprecation. For low relationship-relevant traits (i.e., quiet, reserved), both lowand high self-esteem individuals self-enhanced. Hierarchical regression analyses indicatedthat self-esteem and perceived regard for moderate relationship-relevant traits predictedsatisfaction. The authors discuss the implications of idealization, self-verification, andself-deprecation for the perceivers and their relationships.