Approach- and avoidance- goal cognitions in depression and anxiety



Eccles, Leila
Approach- and avoidance- goal cognitions in depression and anxiety. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The formation of approach- and avoidance- type goals and the cognitive appraisals we construe of our goals are thought to impact upon emotional state. This study investigated whether shared and distinct approach- and avoidance- goal cognitive appraisals, specifically, conditional goal setting (CGS), expectancy, difficulty, progress and effort, predict depression and anxiety. A young adult clinical sample was recruited from a university student primary care service. Participants generated two approach- and two avoidance- type goals before rating them on the specified goal cognitive appraisals. As expected, results identified shared and distinct goal cognitive appraisals in predicting depressive and anxious symptoms. Less perceived approach goal progress and heightened approach goal effort predicted both depression and anxiety. Whereas, heightened approach goal difficulty and CGS, and reduced avoidance goal progress uniquely predicted depression. Unexpectedly, avoidance goal cognitive appraisals did not predict anxiety. Results provide key considerations for future clinical practice.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy)
Additional Information: Date: 2014-01 (completed)
Uncontrolled Keywords: approach goal motivation, avoidance goal motivation, goal cognitive appraisals, depression and anxiety, young adulthood
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2014 11:28
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2022 01:28
DOI: 10.17638/00016513
Supervisors:
  • Dickson, Joanne M
  • Reilly, James
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/16513