Self-consciousness in Chinese college students in Hong Kong

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene modulates private self-consciousness and self-flexibility

Dopamine levels in the brain influence human consciousness. Inspired by the role of Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in inactivating dopamine in the brain, we investigated to what extent COMT could modulate individual's self-consciousness dispositions and self-consistency by genotyping the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism and measuring self-consciousness and self-consistency and congruence in a college student population. The results indicated that COMT Val158Met polymorphism significantly modulated the private self-consciousness. The individuals with Val/Val genotype, corresponding to lower dopamine levels in the brain, were more likely to be aware of their feelings and beliefs. The results also indicated that this polymorphism modulated one's self-flexibility. The individuals with Val/Val genotype showed higher levels of stereotype in self-concept compared with those with Met/Met genotype. These findings suggest that COMT is a predictor of the individual differences in self-consciousness and self-flexibility.

Development and psychometric properties of the scale for self-consciousness assessment

This scale development employed Duval and Wicklund's (1972), Carver's (1979), and Zaborowski's (1987) theories on self-consciousness. The aim of the study was to create a new method to assess the self-consciousness construct, in an effort to operationally express self-consciousness, while circumventing existing metric and other impediments. Initially, 38 pilot interviews were conducted with undergraduate psychology students, and two studies followed, one on 494 participants and one on 248 participants. Exploratory factor analysis models, equivalence testing, followed by a third confirmatory factor analysis study on a separate sample of 216 participants, resulted in a final 24-item scale. A four-factor structure of two public and two private self-consciousness dimensions emerged. The Scale for Self-Consciousness Assessment (SSCA) can be of use in various areas of psychological research, possibly in concurrent use with other constructs of interest, due to its theoretical and research importance and its adequate psychometric properties.

The Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Chinese Teachers From Primary and Middle Schools

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Interpersonal Reactivity Index (C-IRI) were examined in a sample of 930 teachers in China. The subscales of the C-IRI demonstrated acceptable to good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a stable four-factor structure across three independent samples. The construct validity was also demonstrated; the scores of teachers on perspective taking and empathic concern were significantly higher than those of web users and prisoners. The convergent and discriminant validity of the C-IRI subscales were evaluated using measures of social functioning in the domains of self-esteem, social anxiety, shyness, agreeableness, and forgiveness.

Prevalence and correlates of social fears in Hong Kong

This study examined the 12-month prevalence of social fears and their correlates in Hong Kong. A random telephone survey of 3006 Chinese individuals aged 15-45 years was conducted using a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic information, 14 social fears, age of onset, duration of fear, DSM-IV diagnostic features of social anxiety disorder and other psychosocial features. The prevalence of any social fear was 28.7%. The most common fear was talking to a person of higher status. Respondents with social fears were more likely to be younger and female than those without. A two-step cluster analysis revealed three subgroups with 1-3 (34.0%), 4-7 (43.9%) and 8-13 (22.0%) fears, respectively. As the number of social fears increased across these subgroups, respondents exhibited younger age of onset, more physical symptoms, avoidance behavior, impairment, and suicidality. The prevalence and profile of social fears among Chinese people resembled those of their Western counterparts.

TESTING COMPETING FACTOR MODELS UNDERLYING THE PRIVATE SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS SCALE WITH HONG KONG CHINESE ADOLESCENTS

This study evaluated competing factor models underlying the Private Self-Consciousness scale (Fenigstein, Scheier, & Buss, 1975) with a large sample of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Reliability analysis and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis did not lend empirical support to the three split-factor models proposed in previous research (Anderson, Bohon, & Berrigan, 1996; Burnkrant & Page, 1984; Martin & Debus, 1999). It was recommended that the original unitary model proposed by Fenigstein et al. should be retained in interpreting scores made on this scale, at least for Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Possible influences of age and culture on the factor structure of the scale were also discussed.

A neurocognitive and socioecological model of self-awareness

In the past, researchers have focused mainly on the effects and consequences of self-awareness; however, they have neglected a more basic issue pertaining to the specific mechanisms that initiate and sustain self-perception. The author presents a model of self-awareness that proposes the existence of 3 sources of self-information. First, the social milieu includes early face-to-face interactions, self-relevant feedback, a social comparison mechanism that leads to perspective taking, and audiences. Second, contacts with objects and structures in the physical environment foster self-world differentiation in infants; this environment also contains self-focusing and reflecting stimuli, such as mirrors and video cameras. Third, the self can develop bodily awareness through proprioception and can reflect on itself using imagery and inner speech. Furthermore, self-awareness is mainly mediated by the prefrontal lobes. The author establishes various links among these different neurological, social, ecological, and cognitive elements of the model.

Self-focused attention and negative affect: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis synthesized 226 effect sizes reflecting the relation between self-focused attention and negative affect (depression, anxiety, negative mood). The results demonstrate the multifaceted nature of self-focused attention and elucidate major controversies in the field. Overall, self-focus was associated with negative affect. Several moderators qualified this relationship. Self-focus and negative affect were more strongly related in clinical and female-dominated samples. Rumination yielded stronger effect sizes than nonruminative self-focus. Self-focus on positive self-aspects and following a positive event were related to lower negative affect. Most important, an interaction between foci of self-attention and form of negative affect was found: Private self-focus was more strongly associated with depression and generalized anxiety, whereas public self-focus was more strongly associated with social anxiety.

Comparing the relative fit of various factor models of the self-consciousness scale in two independent samples

Research shows that using highly self-aware participants yields studies of higher reliability, validity, and statistical power; dispositional self-awareness is commonly measured using the Fenigstein Self-Consciousness Scale (Fenigstein, Scheier, & Buss, 1975). This study used confirmatory factor analysis to compare various factor models that may underlie that scale. Two independent student samples (296 from Bernstein, Teng, & Garbin, 1986, and 350 from a large Canadian university) completed the scale. Using 6 fit criteria, results from both samples supported the Burnkrant and Page (1984) 4-factor model, namely, that self-consciousness consists of 3 principle scales: Social Anxiety, Public Self-Consciousness, and Private Self-Consciousness (divided into Internal State Awareness and Self-Reflectiveness). We discuss the psychometric implications of enhancing scale reliability, validity, and self-awareness.