Differences in the Self: Clinical Individuals Have Less Individuation and Promotion, but More Prevention

Abstract

This research aimed to compare two samples (clinical and university) in terms of basic self-orientations and self-regulation strategies. We expected lower scores on basic self-orientations and promotion, and higher scores on prevention in the clinical sample. The balanced model of self claims that the flourishing of basic self-orientations (individuation and relatedness) is related to better psychological functioning. However, this claim was never tested in a clinical sample. Additionally, the regulatory focus theory, a theory of self-regulation, claims that to reach desired end states, individuals use two systems: promotion (advancement, accomplishment) and prevention (conservation, security). Individuals with psychopathology symptoms may use promotion less and prevention more. The clinical sample consisted of 91 people (55 females, 36 males) who were under a psychological/psychiatric treatment due to various mental health complaints (Mage=29.3, SD=5.95, Range=18-42). Most of them had at least university degrees (69%). The second sample consisted of 94 university students (63 females, 30 males; Mage=23.9, SD=2.22, Range=22-34). The first MANCOVA, comparing clinical vs. university samples on individuation and relatedness controlling for age and gender, revealed a group effect (F(2,171)=4.751, p=.01, Wilks’ Lambda=0.95, partial η2=.53). Individuation was lower in clinical sample (M=4.90) than university sample (M=5.29). The second MANCOVA showed a group effect on the promotion and prevention (F(2,171)=13.574, p=.000, Wilks’ Lambda=0.86, partial η2=0.14). Promotion was lower in clinical sample (M=19.74) than in university sample (M=22.37), however prevention was higher (M=17.52) than university sample (M=15.56). The psychological symptoms varied in clinical sample, and were not assessed in university sample. Individuals in clinical sample were less likely to have an individuated self, to regulate themselves with promotion, but more likely to regulate themselves with prevention. Researchers and clinicians should work on thwarted self-orientations and dysfunctional self-regulation strategies.