Abstract
While theory and research have traditionally regarded self-esteem as a contributor to healthy and prosocial behavior, recent views have noted the support of self-esteem for aggressive or antisocial behavior. The two stands are not mutually exclusive, as self-esteem can activate both prosocial and antisocial behavior. This possibility is worth the present empirical investigation, using survey data from 2,978 primary and secondary students in Hong Kong, China. The investigation employed structural equation modeling to maintain the best statistical control and adjustment for sampling, rating, unreliability, and others. Results show that self-esteem and self-efficacy were indistinguishable and they needed to combine to form a second-order factor, named as pride. Pride turned out to manifest positive associations with both bullying and helping, reflecting antisocial and prosocial behavior respectively. These results support a model of chivalry, which associates pride with both aggression and assistance. Specifically, self-efficacy is the major drive of the chivalry model. Results imply that pride is a double-edged quality and its antisocial impacts need caution and prevention. © 2011 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Handbook on Psychology of Self-Esteem |
| Editors | Stefan. De Wals, Katerina Meszaros |
| Place of Publication | Hauppauge, N.Y. |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers |
| Pages | 81-99 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781621004585 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781621004103 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2012 |