Is mental regulation related to self-esteem? Testing a basic metacognitive model

Individual differences in global self-esteem are associated with general psychological functioning and well-being, and lower self-esteem could be a target for prevention and treatment interventions. Traditionally, self-esteem is assumed to be influenced by the content of self-beliefs, but the metacognitive model of psychological disorders presents an alternative. It emphasizes mental regulation over the content in self-beliefs and suggests a role for metacognitive beliefs and corresponding metacognitive strategies. Thus, the metacognitive model has the potential to advance our understanding of self-esteem and provide new treatment interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test a basic metacognitive model of self-esteem. In a cross-sectional design, 522 participants from a convenience sample completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. A metacognitive model where metacognitive strategies mediated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and self-esteem was tested using structural equation modelling. Stronger endorsements of dysfunctional metacognitions were associated with more use of unhelpful metacognitive strategies, which further was significantly related to lower self-esteem. These relationships held even when controlling gender, age, anxiety, and personality traits as covariates. The results suggests that there is a role for dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and strategies in self-esteem of which metacognitive strategies are the most proximal influence. This observation indicates that individual differences in mental regulation are relevant to understanding and possibly improving self-esteem. Interventions which effectively lead to metacognitive change are likely to have a positive effect on self-esteem.