Who I am and how I feel: The role of identity and self-concept in psychological distress

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis was to examine how factors relating to ‘the self’ contribute to subclinical psychopathology symptoms. This is important because these symptoms are associated with marked distress and are a risk factor for clinically significant mental health problems. Initial work examined relationships between measures of psychopathology and facets of autobiographical memories (Study 1) and self-defining memories (Study 2). Study 2 also examined links between psychopathology and confidence in achieving life goals. Study 3 examined relationships between psychopathology and use of autobiographical memory (AM) to support a ‘sense of self’. Results (Study 1) revealed that depression was associated with lower specificity of positive memories (involuntary retrieval), rating unpleasant memories as more negative, and a trend for more negative self-defining memories (Study 2). Hypomania was linked to less negative ratings of involuntary unpleasant memories (Study 1), and a trend for more negative self-defining memories (Study 2). Depression and anxiety, but not hypomania, were associated with lower confidence in goal achievement (Study 2). All measures of psychopathology were associated with increased use of AM for supporting ‘the self’ (Study 3). Importantly, these links were mediated by self-concept clarity. Study 4 investigated the impact on psychological wellbeing of losing objects central to identity (e.g., relationships or roles). Remaining work investigated links between adverse childhood experiences (Study 5) and recent stressors (Study 6) and psychopathology. Social support, but not lost objects, predicted psychopathology (Study 4). Adverse childhood experiences (Study 5) and recent stress (study 6) were associated with increases in depression, anxiety, and hypomania. Self-concept clarity mediated the pathway between aversive childhood experiences and all psychopathology (Study 5) and the link between recent stress and hypomania (Study 6). Interventions to increase self-concept clarity have the potential to reduce subclinical symptoms of psychopathology and decrease the risk of symptom escalation to clinical levels.