Finding the light at the end of the tunnel: Age differences in the relation between internal states terms and coping with potential threats to self

Abstract

Previous research has examined how adults respond to negative self-evaluations, but has not explored developmental differences in this process. This cross-sectional study investigated linkages between the inclusion of internal states language in narrative accounts of problems in important self-categories and reports of coping responses and troubling thoughts. There were a total of 160 participants at three age levels: late childhood (9–12 years old), early adolescence (12–15 years old) and emerging adulthood (18–28 years old). Age-related changes were found in the density of internal states language and its relation to coping strategies. Among the children, greater usage of positive emotion terms predicted less adaptive use of coping strategies. In contrast, among the adolescents, greater density of positive emotion terms and anxiety terms was associated with more assistance seeking, and greater use of anger terms was related to lower levels of intrusive and avoidant thoughts. Finally, among the emerging adults, a greater density of insight terms was associated with higher levels of intrusive thoughts. The findings are interpreted as indicating unique responses to self-threat at different points in the development of the self-concept. Further, they have implications for understanding inconsistent past findings regarding the relation between internal states language usage and well-being.

Keywords:

• Self
• Internal states language
• Coping
• Well-being

Acknowledgments

Mary Koenig Styers is now at Magnolia Consulting, LLC, Charlottesville, VA. This research and the preparation of this report were funded in part by the North Carolina State Department of Psychology and Magnolia Consulting, LLC. This research was part of a dissertation completed by the first author under the direction of the second author. Appreciation is expressed to the members of the doctoral committee, Drs. Thomas Hess, Shevaun Neupert and Jason Osborne, for their contributions to this investigation. We also thank the North Carolina State M&ND lab members and Magnolia Consulting, LLC team members for their assistance and support.