What is it about?

This article found that self-affirmation—brief exercises in which people reflect on their cherished values (e.g., relationships with family/friends, independence) and positive personal traits (e.g., kindness) or personal strengths—can yield positive effects on well-being (including general well-being, social well-being, self-perception and sense of self-worth, and reduced negative symptoms). These effects are both immediate and long-lasting. These effects held true for teens, college students and adults, and held true across countries.

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Why is it important?

In today’s modern society, many people suffer from stress and anxiety. Our study found that even brief, low-cost self-affirmation exercises can yield significant psychological benefits for overall mental health. More importantly, these benefits are not only immediate but also persist over time. Unlike previous research suggesting that self-affirmation can protect against specific threats such as identity threats or health risk messages, our study reveals that self-affirmation can serve as a general psychological resource that enhances well-being in daily environments.

Perspectives

Affirming important aspects of the self can help individuals maintain a stable and positive mental state when facing challenges and pressures. Self-affirmation reminds people of inner psychological resources, enables them to view threats with a broader context, therefore psychologically distancing themselves from threats. Our evidence supports occasional, meaningful practice of self-affirmation. The quality of the practice could matter more than frequency.

Dr. Minhong (Maggie) Wang
University of Hong Kong

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: The impact of self-affirmation interventions on well-being: A meta-analysis., American Psychologist, October 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/amp0001591.
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