The role of control strategies in the relationship of self-discrepancies with self-esteem and psychological well-being

This study aimed at investigating the role of control strategies in the relationship between self-discrepancies, self-esteem and psychological well-being. A total of 396 people, 261 being women and 132 being men, and their age ranging between 18 and 62, participated in the study. The questionnaire package used to collect data included a Consent and Information Form, the Integrated Self-Discrepancy Index, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Optimization in Primary Secondary Control Scale, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Correlation analysis conducted to see the associations between variables; hierarchal regression analyses to understand the variables predicting depression, anxiety and stress; and moderation analyses to examine the moderating role of control strategies in the relationship between self- discrepancies and self-esteem. Correlation analysis revealed relationships between self-discrepancies, self-esteem and psychopathologic symptoms, partially supporting the theory. Regression analyses showed that control strategies, in addition to self- discrepancies and self-esteem, modestly contribute to the prediction of the symptoms. Moderations analyses revealed that among control strategies, only compensatory secondary control plays a moderating role in the relationship between ideal self- discrepancy and self-esteem. Findings were discussed in the light of the relevant literature.