The dark side of mattering: A comprehensive review of the concept and the negative mental health effects.
Faculty Mentor
Elodie Wendling
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jack Averitt College of Graduate Studies
Department
Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology
Abstract
Mattering is a construct which reflects an individual’s perception that is significant to others and the world around them (Elliott et al., 2004). The mattering construct includes three primary components, the feeling that others depend on us, the feeling that others believe we are important, and that others pay attention to us (Flett et al., 2025). Within the original framework, mattering is both a feeling and a motive, as an individual’s failure to satisfy feelings of not mattering to others can have a negative impact (Flett et al, 2019). Low feelings of mattering have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and loneliness (Flett et al, 2019; McComb et al, 2020). Research has also shown that low levels of mattering have been linked to substance use (Flett et al., 2025). Based on previous research, it is likely that low feelings of mattering are correlated with drinking to cope with depression outcomes (Flett et al., 2025). This poster presentation will include a comprehensive literature review of how mattering relates to mental health outcomes, including implications and directions for further research.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Justice, Ava, "The dark side of mattering: A comprehensive review of the concept and the negative mental health effects." (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 79.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/79
The dark side of mattering: A comprehensive review of the concept and the negative mental health effects.
Russell Union Ballroom
Mattering is a construct which reflects an individual’s perception that is significant to others and the world around them (Elliott et al., 2004). The mattering construct includes three primary components, the feeling that others depend on us, the feeling that others believe we are important, and that others pay attention to us (Flett et al., 2025). Within the original framework, mattering is both a feeling and a motive, as an individual’s failure to satisfy feelings of not mattering to others can have a negative impact (Flett et al, 2019). Low feelings of mattering have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and loneliness (Flett et al, 2019; McComb et al, 2020). Research has also shown that low levels of mattering have been linked to substance use (Flett et al., 2025). Based on previous research, it is likely that low feelings of mattering are correlated with drinking to cope with depression outcomes (Flett et al., 2025). This poster presentation will include a comprehensive literature review of how mattering relates to mental health outcomes, including implications and directions for further research.
