EFFECT OF STATE SELF-ESTEEM ON REGULATORY FOCUS AND ACCOMMODATIVE BEHAVIOUR IN RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Trait self-esteem (TSE) has been shown to influence an individual's accommodative tendency in the face of a relationship threat (Rusbult, Morrow, & Joghnson, 1987). This study extends on previous literature by examining the effects of state self-esteem (SSE) on accommodative tendencies in the face of a relationship threat using the Exit-Voice-Neglect-Loyalty (EVLN) framework (Rusbult & Zembrodt, 1982). Additionally, this study investigated the effects of SSE on motivation orientation and regulatory fit using an Anagram Task adapted from Shah, Brazy, and Higgins (2004). It was hypothesised that high SSE participants would be more likely to choose active, constructive behaviours while low SSE individuals would be more likely to choose passive, destructive behaviours. High SSE participants were also hypothesised to have better task performance under an approach fame and vice versa for low SSE participants due to regulatory fit. 80 National University of Singapore undergraduates were recruited as participants for this study. Support for the study's hypotheses on accommodative tendencies were found. Although not significant, results also indicated that task performance was better when there was a match between participants' approach/avoidance orientation and task frame. This study provides greater insight into conflict resolution in relationships and offers potential future directions for research.