Internal Dialogues and Authenticity: How Do They Predict Well-Being?

Abstract

Abstract Previous research and theoretical considerations on potential adaptive and non-adaptive functions of internal dialogues (IDs) do not allow to clearly predict the connection between internal dialogical activity and well-being. It was hypothesized that the link depends on the type of ID and its functions. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the role of authenticity in using IDs, their frequency and effects on well-being. Participants were 214 women and 193 men, aged between 20 and 60 years. Three methods were used: the Internal Dialogical Activity Scale-Revised, the Authenticity Inventory, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The results confirmed that authenticity is positively associated with well-being. The only type of IDs that highly authentic people conduct more often than those with lower authenticity are identity dialogues. This type of IDs shows a positive link with well-being, whereas the general internal dialogical activity as well as ruminative, maladaptive and confronting IDs are negatively related to well-being. It was also found that higher authenticity eliminates the negative relationship of maladaptive and confronting IDs with well-being. However, this is not the case with regard to the ruminative IDs. Moreover, it transpired that in highly authentic people perspective-changing IDs are conducive to higher well-being.