Background. Goals play an important role in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of depression (Street, 2002). However, the research on goal pursuit in the context of depression remains limited. Most goal characteristics (dimensions characterizing the nature of a goal, such as content or importance) have been studied separately, and many characteristics identified as key to successful goal pursuit in the general population have not yet been studied in the context of depression.
Research Questions. Across two studies, we ask how depressive symptoms relate to the characteristics of personal goals that individuals pursue. That is, what is the relationship (if any) between depressive symptoms and goal characteristics?
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size. Participants in Study 1a included 288 university students (76% female, Mage = 20.15, 56.5% White), and participants in Study 1b included 384 university students and MTurk workers (48% female, Mage = 31.69, 56.5% White).
Design. Participants reported on 14 characteristics (e.g. difficulty, motivation, self-efficacy) of the goals they were currently pursuing (M = 7.5 goals/person), and completed a measure of depressive symptoms.
Results. In Study 1a, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with higher controlled motivation, higher avoidance motivation, lower commitment, higher difficulty, and lower self-efficacy. These results were replicated in Study 1b, with the addition of significant relationships with higher extrinsic goal content, lower specificity, higher conflict among goals, and lower support from others. These correlations were generally small.
Scientific Contribution. The proposed research will contribute to developing a better understanding of goal pursuit in the context of depression through an integration and comparison of previously studied and not yet examined goal characteristics. In turn, this could inform goal interventions in the treatment of depression.