Belief-Driven Resilience: The Impact of Self-Affirmation Perceptions on Coping Mechanisms in the Workplace

Abstract

Self-affirmation theory suggests that affirming core values can buffer the impact of stressful experiences, particularly in the context of upward social comparisons. This study examines the effects of self-affirmation in reducing stress and enhancing coping mechanisms compared to recounting positive personal experiences. Using an experimental design with Amazon Mechanical Turk workers, a survey and an experimental task were administered to assess stress responses to upward social comparison scenarios. It is hypothesized that participants who engaged in self-affirmation reported significantly lower stress levels and higher self-esteem than those who reflected on positive experiences. These results suggest that self-affirmation may serve as an effective psychological strategy for mitigating stress and promoting emotional resilience in socially competitive environments.

Presenters

Jolyei Griffith
Student, Masters of Science, Seattle Pacific University, Washington, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Poster Session

Theme

Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

KEYWORDS

Self-Affirmation, Coping Mechanisms, Workplace Stress, Self-Threat, Wellness