Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediational role of self-confidence and anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping in an achievement context.
Design
To test this mediational role, the three-step procedure advocated by Baron and Kenny (1986) was used.
Method
After hearing and reading about specific conditions of performing that were intended to favor invoking excuses for future poor performance, 68 competitive basketball players completed measures of self-esteem, anxiety (cognitive and somatic), self-confidence, and claimed self-handicapping. Then, they warmed-up and carried out a basketball task.
Results
Self-esteem negatively predicted cognitive anxiety and positively predicted self-confidence. In turn, self-confidence negatively predicted claimed self-handicapping and mediated the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping. Cognitive and somatic anxieties did not mediate the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping. Together, these results suggest that individuals with low self-esteem use more claimed self-handicaps because they have lower self-confidence.
Conclusion
These findings shed light on the psychological processes that lead people with low self-esteem to use strategies of claimed self-handicaps.
Highlights
► Self-esteem negatively predicted cognitive anxiety and positively predicted self-confidence. ► Self-confidence negatively predicted claimed self-handicapping. ► Self-confidence mediated the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping. ► Individuals with low self-esteem use more claimed self-handicaps because they have lower self-confidence.
Results
To test the direct relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping, claimed self-handicapping was regressed on self-esteem. A significant overall model [F(1, 66) = 9.32, p < .01, R2 = .12] was found and self-esteem was a significant negative predictor of claimed self-handicapping (β = −.35, p < .01).
To test the relationship between self-esteem and the potential mediators, each potential mediator was regressed on self-esteem. Regressing cognitive anxiety on self-esteem yielded a significant effect [F(1, 66) = 9.32, p < .01, R2 = .12]. Self-esteem was a significant negative predictor of cognitive anxiety (β = −.35, p < .01). Regressing somatic anxiety on self-esteem did not yield a significant effect [F(1, 66) = 3.73, p > .05, R2 = .05]. Regressing self-confidence on self-esteem yielded a significant effect [F(1, 66) = 18.92, p < .001, R2 = .22]. Self-esteem was a significant positive predictor of self-confidence (β = .47, p < .001).
Finally, the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping was tested again with the influence of each remaining potential mediator controlled (i.e., cognitive anxiety and self-confidence). Regressing claimed self-handicapping on both cognitive anxiety and self-esteem yielded a significant effect [F(2, 65) = 4.6, p < .05, R2 = .12]. Self-esteem significantly negatively predicted self-handicapping (β = −.34, p < .01) but cognitive anxiety did not. Regressing claimed self-handicapping on both self-confidence and self-esteem yielded a significant effect [F(2, 65) = 8.04, p < .001, R2 = .19]. Self-confidence significantly negatively predicted claimed self-handicapping (β = −.30, p < .05), whereas self-esteem did not. To summarize, self-confidence, but not cognitive anxiety, was found to mediate the relationship between self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping (see Fig. 1). To check the significance of the mediated effect, a Sobel test was conducted whereby the products of the unstandardized regression coefficients of Paths B (B = .68) and C (B = −.26) were divided by a standard error term 2 (i.e., z score). The Sobel test was significant (z score = −2.78, p < .05).
Linear model testing.
Fig. 1.
Linear model testing.
