Dispositional Need to Belong Moderates the Impact of Negative Social Cues and Rejection on Self-Esteem

Abstract. In two studies, we examined how need to belong as a dispositional variable influences the relational interpretation of social cues and the subsequent effect on self-esteem. Across both studies, the results from a negative (vs. positive) social cue condition showed that individuals high in need to belong were more negatively affected by (i.e., lower self-esteem, social involvement, and relational value) than those low in need to belong. Results from Study 2 also showed that these negative effects can be attenuated when participants have the opportunity to engage in self-affirmation. In all, the findings contribute to the literature by demonstrating that need to belong at the trait level not only has cognitive effects, but also has important downstream relational effects that influence how people differentially interpret the cues in their social environment.