The relationship of social approval contingency to trait self-esteem: Cause, consequence, or moderator?

This longitudinal study tested three theoretical models of the relationship between contingency of self-worth on social approval and trait self-esteem. These included (1) a selective-determinants model positing that self-reports of social approval contingency moderate effects of perceived regard from others on trait self-esteem; (2) an autonomy model positing that approval contingency is a cause of low self-esteem; and (3) a sociometer model positing that approval contingency is a consequence of self-esteem. Perceived regard from others predicted concurrent trait self-esteem and longitudinal change in self-esteem, irrespective of social approval contingency. Approval contingency did not predict longitudinal change in self-esteem, although self-esteem predicted longitudinal change in approval contingency. These results, which support the sociometer model, were consistent across two somewhat different measures of social approval contingency and four indices of perceived regard and social inclusion.