Individualism/collectivism as a moderator of the relationship between attachment dimensions and contingencies of self-worth

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between attachment dimensions and the contingencies of self-worth (CSWs), and whether cultural differences exist in this relationship. It also investigated on whether collectivism would moderate the effects of attachment dimensions on CSWs.

Methods: A sample of 157 university students, who were either from collectivistic culture or individualistic culture, completed questionnaires that assess their personal background information, attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance), and CSWs (physical appearance, approval from others, outdoing others in competition, academic competence, supports from family and friends, and adherence to moral code).

Results: Collectivists were found to base their self-esteem more on outdoing others in competition, whereas individualists were found to base their self-esteem more on adhering to their moral standards. Both anxiety and avoidance were found to be positively related to basing self-worth on approval from others. Collectivism was found to be positively related to anxiety dimension. Moderating effects of collectivism were found between appearance and anxiety, and between support from family and friends and avoidance.

Discussion: Collectivists with high anxiety who base their self-esteem on appearance may have higher costs in the pursuit of self-esteem than individualists with high anxiety. This is because physical appearance, as an external CSW, may bring high costs in the form of stress, aggression, drug and alcohol use, and symptoms of disordered eating.