Structural integrity of frontostriatal connections predicts longitudinal changes in self-esteem
Robert S Chavez1,2, Todd F Heatherton1
1a Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences , Dartmouth College , Hanover , NH , USA.
Social Neuroscience
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Brain white matter pathway integrity predicts self-esteem changes over time. Greater integrity in frontostriatal connections correlated with increased self-esteem in young adults after eight months.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Diminished self-esteem is linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Frontostriatal circuitry connectivity correlates with individual self-esteem levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if frontostriatal white matter integrity predicts changes in self-esteem over an eight-month period.
- To explore the predictive capacity of neural connections on self-esteem trajectory in early adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and probabilistic tractography were employed.
- White matter pathway integrity between the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum was assessed.
- Self-esteem levels were measured at two time points, eight months apart, in 30 young adults.
Main Results:
- Higher integrity of the frontostriatal white matter pathway at baseline predicted increased self-esteem at follow-up.
- Lower integrity of this pathway was associated with stagnant or decreased self-esteem levels.
- These findings highlight the predictive power of neural pathway integrity for self-esteem development.
Conclusions:
- Frontostriatal white matter integrity is a significant predictor of self-esteem trajectory in early adulthood.
- This neural marker may offer insights into the mechanisms underlying blunted positive self-regard in conditions like depression and anxiety.
- Understanding these neural underpinnings can inform interventions for psychiatric conditions characterized by low self-esteem.
More Related Videos
08:36Dynamic Inter-subject Functional Connectivity Reveals Moment-to-Moment Brain Network Configurations Driven by Continuous or Communication Paradigms
Published on: March 21, 2019
7.8K
13:08Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
Published on: December 2, 2015
9.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:25Benefits of Self-Esteem
264
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor...
264
01:28Self-Esteem
340
Self-esteem, a core aspect of psychological well-being, reflects an individual's positive and negative self-evaluation in terms of worth, competence, and overall value. It is both a stable trait and a dynamic process, influenced by experiences and social interactions across the lifespan. While global self-esteem offers a general assessment, research highlights that self-esteem is multidimensional and varies across specific life domains.Domain-Specific Self-EsteemResearchers have delineated...
340
01:24Attachment Styles
694
Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
694
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
351
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
351
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
389
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
389
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.9K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.9K