Associations between actual and ideal self-perceptions and anticipated pride among young adults

Abstract

This study examined associations between actual and ideal fitness-related self-discrepancies and anticipated pride. Participants (N = 130) read a hypothetical scenario and were asked to anticipate their feelings of pride and provide reports of actual and ideal self-perceptions. Actual and ideal selves accounted for 29% of the variance in anticipated pride. The congruence between actual and ideal selves was positively, linearly associated with anticipated pride (b = 0.43, p < 0.001). When ideal selves were greater than actual selves, participants reported anticipating more pride (b = −0.70, p < 0.001). Experiencing congruence between actual and ideal selves may be important cognitive appraisals related to the anticipation of pride.