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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MATTERING
1. The Conceptualisation of Mattering as a Psychological Experience
Introduction to the Construct of Mattering
The psychological experience of mattering has emerged as a fundamental aspect of human
well-being, yet its conceptualisation has evolved considerably across decades of research. Mattering,
at its most basic level, refers to an individual's perception of being significant and important to others
in their social world. Rosenberg and McCullough (1981), who are credited with introducing the
construct to psychological literature, defined mattering as the feeling of being important to others, a
definition that continues to influence contemporary understandings of this phenomenon (Paradisi,
2022). Since its introduction, researchers have refined and expanded this conceptualisation,
recognising mattering as a unique and complex psychological construct that predicts consequential
outcomes at individual, relational, and societal levels (Flett, 2025). The growing body of literature on
mattering has established it as distinct from related constructs such as self-esteem, belonging, and
social support, while simultaneously acknowledging its interconnections with these important
psychological experiences.
Commonalities Across Conceptualisations
Despite variations in how researchers have approached the study of mattering, several common
threads run through the literature. Across theoretical frameworks, there is consensus that mattering is
fundamentally relational, requiring the presence of other people who serve as sources of mattering
perceptions (Flett, 2018). Unlike constructs such as self-esteem, which can be derived from internal
self-evaluations, mattering inherently involves a social component wherein individuals perceive
themselves as significant to specific others or to their broader community. Additionally, scholars
consistently agree that mattering exists on a continuum, with individuals experiencing varying
degrees of mattering across different relationships and contexts. Research has also converged on the
finding that mattering is positively associated with well-being regardless of whether researchers
adopt hedonic, eudaimonic, or holistic conceptualisations of well-being (Paradisi, 2022). This robust
relationship suggests that mattering operates as a fundamental psychological need, the satisfaction of
which contributes to human flourishing across multiple domains of functioning.
Differentiating the Dimensions of Mattering
The most significant differentiation within mattering conceptualisations concerns its
multidimensional structure. Elliott and colleagues (2004) delineated three distinct ways through
which individuals can experience mattering to others: awareness, importance, and reliance (Elliott,
Kao & Grant, 2004, as cited in France & Finney, 2010). These dimensions represent qualitatively
different experiences of mattering, each contributing uniquely to an individual's overall sense of
significance.
Awareness constitutes the most fundamental dimension of mattering, referring to the extent to which
individuals perceive that others notice their presence, actions, and existence. This dimension captures
whether people are seen and attended to by those around them. Without awareness, an individual
cannot experience mattering in any meaningful sense, as being unnoticed precludes the possibility of
feeling valued or depended upon.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MATTERING
1. The Conceptualisation of Mattering as a Psychological Experience
Introduction to the Construct of Mattering
The psychological experience of mattering has emerged as a fundamental aspect of human
well-being, yet its conceptualisation has evolved considerably across decades of research. Mattering,
at its most basic level, refers to an individual's perception of being significant and important to others
in their social world. Rosenberg and McCullough (1981), who are credited with introducing the
construct to psychological literature, defined mattering as the feeling of being important to others, a
definition that continues to influence contemporary understandings of this phenomenon (Paradisi,
2022). Since its introduction, researchers have refined and expanded this conceptualisation,
recognising mattering as a unique and complex psychological construct that predicts consequential
outcomes at individual, relational, and societal levels (Flett, 2025). The growing body of literature on
mattering has established it as distinct from related constructs such as self-esteem, belonging, and
social support, while simultaneously acknowledging its interconnections with these important
psychological experiences.
Commonalities Across Conceptualisations
Despite variations in how researchers have approached the study of mattering, several common
threads run through the literature. Across theoretical frameworks, there is consensus that mattering is
fundamentally relational, requiring the presence of other people who serve as sources of mattering
perceptions (Flett, 2018). Unlike constructs such as self-esteem, which can be derived from internal
self-evaluations, mattering inherently involves a social component wherein individuals perceive
themselves as significant to specific others or to their broader community. Additionally, scholars
consistently agree that mattering exists on a continuum, with individuals experiencing varying
degrees of mattering across different relationships and contexts. Research has also converged on the
finding that mattering is positively associated with well-being regardless of whether researchers
adopt hedonic, eudaimonic, or holistic conceptualisations of well-being (Paradisi, 2022). This robust
relationship suggests that mattering operates as a fundamental psychological need, the satisfaction of
which contributes to human flourishing across multiple domains of functioning.
Differentiating the Dimensions of Mattering
The most significant differentiation within mattering conceptualisations concerns its
multidimensional structure. Elliott and colleagues (2004) delineated three distinct ways through
which individuals can experience mattering to others: awareness, importance, and reliance (Elliott,
Kao & Grant, 2004, as cited in France & Finney, 2010). These dimensions represent qualitatively
different experiences of mattering, each contributing uniquely to an individual's overall sense of
significance.
Awareness constitutes the most fundamental dimension of mattering, referring to the extent to which
individuals perceive that others notice their presence, actions, and existence. This dimension captures
whether people are seen and attended to by those around them. Without awareness, an individual
cannot experience mattering in any meaningful sense, as being unnoticed precludes the possibility of
feeling valued or depended upon.
