Measuring self and rules in what people say: Exploring whether self-discrimination predicts long-term wellbeing

Journal article


Bamkin, Paul William B. and Styles, Robert G.. (2016). Measuring self and rules in what people say: Exploring whether self-discrimination predicts long-term wellbeing. Journal of Contextual Behavioural Science. 5(2), pp. 71 - 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.05.001
AuthorsBamkin, Paul William B. and Styles, Robert G.
Abstract

Relational Frame Theory views the self as verbal discrimination of one's own behavior using deictic framing. We coded interviews similar to those occurring in therapy sessions for occurrences of a conceptualized, experiential or observing sense of self as well as values-oriented or control-oriented self-rules. We then used the frequencies of these different forms of self-discrimination to predict wellbeing 6 and 12 months later. Participants were legal and medical professionals who completed a range of wellbeing measures as well as interviews exploring their emotional and epistemic responses to personal life events. Two self-discrimination behaviors, reflecting values-oriented self-rules and self-as-context, predicted wellbeing 6 and 12 months later. While exploratory, this study suggests that the ways people discriminate their own behavior in natural language is a reliable determinant of wellbeing over extended periods. This approach provides researchers and clinicians with an additional tool for understanding and working with identity and psychological flexibility.

Keywordsself; mixed method research; identity; epistemology; psychological flexibility; qualitative research
Year2016
JournalJournal of Contextual Behavioural Science
Journal citation5 (2), pp. 71 - 79
PublisherElsevier B.V.
ISSN2212-1447
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.05.001
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85014819670
Page range71 - 79
Research GroupInstitute for Positive Psychology and Education
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationNetherlands
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