A diary study of self-esteem, social anxiety, interpersonal interactions and health risk behavior in college students

This study sought to clarify mixed findings regarding the association between trait self-esteem and social anxiety and engagement in health risk behaviors among college. A daily diary methodology was used to investigate whether trait self-esteem, social anxiety and interpersonal experiences predict health risk behaviors using Sociometer Theory (Leary & Downs, 1995) as a framework for understanding how daily interpersonal experiences may be related to engagement in health risk behaviors. A total of 219 participants completed an online survey that assessed demographic characteristics, trait self-esteem and social anxiety and completed a shorter online survey daily for 28 days. Findings revealed that participants were more likely to engage in a number of health risk behaviors on days that they experienced relatively more negative interpersonal experiences and that positive experiences appeared to protect against engagement in a number of health risk behaviors. In general, trait self-esteem and social anxiety did not moderate the influence of daily negative interpersonal experiences on health risk behaviors; however, the effects of positive interpersonal experiences on engagement in a number of health risk behaviors depended upon levels of trait self-esteem and social anxiety. For example, individuals with high trait self-esteem were more likely to engage in vaginal sex with a new partner on days when they experienced relatively more positive interpersonal experiences. Socially anxious individuals were also more likely to engage in a broad range of health risk behaviors on days when they experienced more positive interpersonal experiences. Overall, this study provides evidence for how people with low versus high trait self-esteem and low versus high social anxiety differ in terms of their reactions to positive interpersonal experiences. In addition, these findings suggest that in the context of daily life, these trait characteristics are more likely to moderate the influence of positive interpersonal experiences, rather than negative interpersonal behaviors, on health risk behavior.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Authors dc:creator

• Wilson, Kristina, author
• Harman, Jennifer J., advisor
• Clegg, Benjamin A., committee member
• Henry, Kimberly, committee member
• Rouner, Donna, committee member
• Steger, Michael F., committee member

• experience sampling
• sociometer theory
• social anxiety
• self-esteem
• health risk behavior
• College students -- Health and hygiene
• Self-esteem in young adults
• Interpersonal relations in young adults
• Risk-taking (Psychology)

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018578

Identifier

ETDF2010100012PSYC

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/40483