The role of identification and identity management strategies in protecting self-esteem

Abstract

Although the main claim of social identity theory regarding identity management strategies is related to the role of strategies in protecting and enhancing self-esteem, strategies have rarely been examined in relation to both personal and collective self-esteem. The present research aims to examine the mediating role of identification and strategies in the relationship between perceived discrimination and personal and collective self-esteem among disadvantaged Kurdish ethnic group members. A sample of 138 Kurdish people in Turkey participated in this study. The path analysis results indicated that perceived discrimination was associated with higher levels of identification and competition strategies, but lower levels of mobility, individualization, and superordinate re-categorization strategies. Identification was associated with higher levels of collective self-esteem and competition strategies, but lower levels of personal self-esteem and mobility strategies. Competition was related to higher collective self-esteem, whereas mobility was related to lower personal self-esteem. Serial mediation effects show that perceived discrimination increases identification, which in turn increases competition, which in turn increases collective self-esteem. Moreover, perceived discrimination increases identification, which in turn decreases mobility, subsequently increases personal self-esteem. We discussed the findings on the basis of a reformulated version of the self-esteem hypothesis and the Rejection-Identification Model.