Believing in a Lack of Control on Future Boosts Self-Esteem for Introverts: Study

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, believing that the future is beyond human control can increase self-esteem in people with introverted personality types.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, involved recruiting participants from a large midwestern university and administering a series of questionnaires to measure their levels of introversion, belief in personal control, and self-esteem. The researchers found that introverts who believed that the future was beyond their control had higher self-esteem compared to those who believed that they had control over their future.

This finding is significant because low self-esteem is often associated with several negative outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. By identifying a factor that can increase self-esteem in introverts, researchers may be able to develop interventions to improve the mental health of this group.

The study's lead author, Dr. Emily Smith, noted that the findings may be particularly relevant in the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted many people's plans and created a sense of uncertainty about the future. "Given the current global situation, it's natural for people to feel like they have less control over their future," said Dr. Smith. "Our study suggests that this loss of control may be especially beneficial for introverts, who tend to be more introspective and reflective by nature."

The researchers also found that introverts who believed they had control over their future had lower self-esteem compared to those who believed the future was beyond their control. This suggests that the relationship between belief in personal control and self-esteem may be more complex for introverts than for extroverts.

The study has some limitations, including its reliance on self-report measures and its focus on a single university sample. Further research is needed to replicate and extend these findings to a more diverse population.

Despite these limitations, the study's findings have important implications for mental health professionals working with introverted individuals. Rather than focusing on increasing belief in personal control, interventions may be more effective if they focus on helping introverts accept and cope with a lack of control.

In conclusion, the study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that believing that the future is beyond human control can increase self-esteem in introverts. This finding has potential implications for the development of interventions to improve the mental health of introverted individuals. However, more research is needed to replicate and extend these findings to a more diverse population.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World