Short-term dynamics of pride and state self-esteem change during the university-to-work transition

Young adults differ in their self-esteem change during the university-to-work transition. The short-term processes (such as state changes) which are related to individual variability in change are not yet fully understood. In this pre-registered study, we examined experiences of pride as an emotional process underlying state self-esteem change in a sample of 232 Dutch master students over 8 months across their university-to-work transition. We used dynamic and multilevel structural equation models to analyze three waves of 14-day experience sampling data, examining momentary and daily associations between pride and state self-esteem on the within-person level. We examined correlated change in pride and state self-esteem, and the extent to which pride predicted variability in state self-esteem change. Results indicated positive within-person associations and considerable individual differences in pride–state self-esteem associations across moments and days. Across months, changes in pride and state self-esteem were positively correlated, but pride before graduation did not predict variability in later state self-esteem change. Pride–state self-esteem associations remained robust after accounting for feelings of joy, transitional valence, and timing of the transition. Findings indicated that pride uniquely predicted state self-esteem change during the education-to-work transition, which suggests that pride is a key emotion underlying self-esteem change.