The way we refer to ourselves reflects how we relate to others: Associations between first-person pronoun use and interpersonal problems

The frequency with which a person refers to herself is an important marker of psychological functioning. The aim of the current study was to explore the associations between self-referencing verbal behavior and interpersonal problems. We assessed the frequency of first-person singular and plural pronouns from transcribed clinical interviews with 118 participants. First-person singular pronouns were associated with elevated interpersonal distress and an intrusive interpersonal style; first-person plural pronouns were associated with low interpersonal distress and a cold interpersonal style. When controlling for depressive symptoms, specific interpersonal styles were even more accentuated. Self-referencing verbal behavior appears to have specific interpersonal implications beyond general interpersonal distress and depressive symptoms.

► We explored relations between first-person pronoun use and interpersonal problems.
► First-person pronoun use was assessed from transcribed clinical interviews.
► Singular pronoun use was associated with maladaptive intrusiveness.
► Plural pronoun use was associated with adaptive coldness.
► Self-referencing behavior appears to have specific interpersonal implications.