The effect of social exclusion on state paranoia and explicit and implicit self-esteem in a non-clinical sample

Stewart, C., Rogers, F., Pilch, M., Stewart, I., Barnes-Holmes, Y. and Westermann, S. (2017) The effect of social exclusion on state paranoia and explicit and implicit self-esteem in a non-clinical sample. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 57, pp. 62-69. (doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2017.04.001) (PMID:28419917)

Abstract

Background and objectives: The relationship between self-esteem and paranoia may be influenced by social stress. This study aimed to replicate previous research on the impact ofsocial exclusion on paranoia and self-esteem in a non-clinical sample and to extend this work by examining the effect of exclusion on self-esteem at the ‘implicit’ level. Methods: Non-clinical participants (N = 85) were randomly allocated to the Inclusion or Exclusion condition of a virtual ball-toss game (‘Cyberball’). They completed self-reportmeasures of state paranoia and self-esteem, and two implicit measures of self-esteem – theImplicit Association Task (IAT) and Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) –prior to and after exposure to Cyberball. Results: Social exclusion increased state paranoia. This effect was moderated by distress associated with trait paranoia. Exclusion was also associated with decreased self-reported self-esteem, as well as reduced implicit self-esteem on the IAT. Changes in self-reported self-esteem were associated with state paranoia at post-Cyberball. The IRAP indicated that reductions in implicit self-esteem may be due to increases in ‘Me-Negative’ and ‘Others-Positive’ biases (rather than reductions in ‘Me-Positive’ bias). Limitations: The current study involved a non-clinical sample and so findings cannot be generalized to clinical paranoia. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with previous evidence that paranoia is associated with negative self-evaluations, whereas positive self-evaluations can persist in paranoia. They also provide support for the suggestion that investigations of self-esteem in paranoia should extend beyond global self-esteem and might benefit from a distinction between positive and negative components.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart, Dr Corinna
• Authors: Stewart, C., Rogers, F., Pilch, M., Stewart, I., Barnes-Holmes, Y., and Westermann, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0005-7916
• ISSN (Online): 1873-7943
• Published Online: 14 April 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
• First Published: First published in Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 57:62-69
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher