Routes to momentary self‐esteem in adolescence: Links with interpersonal perceptions of liking and personality metaperceptions within social interactions

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis study provides insights into the perceptual processes contributing to positive social experiences and momentary self‐esteem in adolescents' initial social interactions.BackgroundA person's self‐esteem is shaped by their social experiences. However, little is known about which interpersonal perceptions are linked to momentary self‐esteem within social interactions. Identifying two key interpersonal perceptions, we examined differential associations between an individual's meta‐liking and other‐perceptions of liking by interaction partners with momentary self‐esteem. Further, we investigated how preceding personality metaperceptions (i.e., meta‐accuracy and meta‐positivity) extended these sociometer processes.MethodThe current study used round‐robin data from N = 296 adolescents participating in a virtual group interaction. Social accuracy modeling was used to estimate meta‐accuracy and meta‐positivity of personality metaperceptions, and path models were used to test associations with interpersonal perceptions of liking and momentary self‐esteem.ResultsTwo main findings emerged: First, meta‐liking was consistently related to higher momentary self‐esteem, whereas other‐perceptions of liking were not. Second, meta‐positivity of personality metaperceptions was linked to higher meta‐liking and indirectly contributed to higher momentary self‐esteem through meta‐liking.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of considering different interpersonal perceptions to understand social interaction experiences.