The protective properties of self-concept organisation in response to discrimination and general life stress

Abstract

Extensive evidence shows that discrimination can negatively affect health, however less is known about the factors which may ameliorate this effect. As discrimination is a stressor, resiliency research from the general stress literature can inform our understanding of these factors. This study sought to replicate findings that self-concept organisation buffers the effects of general life stress on wellbeing and to test whether the same would be observed for discrimination-related stress. A cross-sectional design (n = 229) was used to assess the relationships between discrimination, general stress, depression and self-organisation variables (self-complexity, compartmentalisation, differential importance, self-concept clarity). Regression analyses showed two moderation effects, with high self-clarity reducing the negative effects of both forms of stress on depression and low compartmentalisation reducing the negative effects of general life stress. Compartmentalisation was associated with more depression regardless of stress level. The potential of self-organisation to inform behaviour change in therapeutic interventions will be discussed using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy perspective. This will include the use of values-based exercises to help foster self-clarity and acceptance-based strategies to reduce compartmentalisation.