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Anatomical correlates of self-handicapping tendency
Hikaru Takeuchi1, Yasuyuki Taki, Rui Nouchi
1Smart Ageing International Research Center, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. takehi@idac.tohoku.ac.jp
Summary
Self-handicapping, a strategy to protect self-esteem, is linked to greater gray matter volume in the subgenual cingulate cortex. This brain region may play a key role in individual differences in self-handicapping behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Self-handicapping involves creating obstacles to buffer against potential failure.
- Individual differences in self-handicapping tendency are well-documented in psychology.
- Neural mechanisms underlying self-handicapping remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroanatomical correlates of individual differences in self-handicapping tendency.
- To explore the association between regional gray matter volume (rGMV) and self-handicapping in healthy young adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze brain structure.
- Administered a questionnaire to assess individual self-handicapping tendency.
- Examined a cohort of healthy young adult men and women (N=185).
Main Results:
- A positive association was found between higher self-handicapping tendency and larger rGMV in the subgenual cingulate gyrus (sgCG).
- The sgCG is implicated in emotion regulation and has shown an inverse relationship with depression in prior studies.
- These findings suggest the sgCG's involvement in self-esteem protection through self-handicapping.
Conclusions:
- The subgenual cingulate gyrus is a key brain region associated with individual differences in self-handicapping.
- This research provides novel insights into the neural basis of self-handicapping behavior.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of self-handicapping may inform interventions for self-esteem and emotional regulation.
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