The Self as a Container: Implications for Implicit Self-Esteem and Somatic Symptoms

Abstract

Abstract If the self is a container, then it very much matters what is in that container. The authors borrow from this self-as-container spatial metaphor to suggest that individual differences in implicit self-esteem, based on a spatial compatibility task, should predict somatic symptoms such as muscle soreness, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Specifically, lower levels of implicit self-esteem, as measured by the Implicit Association Test, should predict a higher frequency and intensity of somatic symptoms. This prediction was investigated in two studies involving a total of 157 undergraduate participants. As predicted, correlations between implicit self-esteem and somatic complaints were robust and negative in direction, as measured by a questionnaire designed to tap anxious arousal (Study 2), momentary (Study 1) and daily (Study 2) reports of somatic symptoms, and informant reports (Study 2). The findings are consistent with spatial metaphor in suggesting that lower levels of implicit self-esteem are associated with tendencies to internalize negative evaluations, in turn biasing bodily symptom perception.