The psychosocial impact of cancer: Exploring relationships between conditional goal setting and depression

Abstract

This study explores depression in cancer patients with reference to conditional goal setting (CGS) theory. CGS theory proposes that depressed individuals believe that personal happiness is conditional upon attainment of specific goals (personal CGS). Other individuals may set important goals believing that goal achievement is a necessary prerequisite of social acceptance and approval (social CGS). CGS has been found to contribute to depression in normal populations. 15.2% of the 67 newly diagnosed cancer patients in this study showed clinical levels of depression. A significant relationship was identified between personal CGS, rumination and depression, as predicted in CGS theory. Two months later, 46.7% of patients demonstrated clinical levels of depression. This later experience of depression was significantly related to social CGS. The results suggest CGS involving a misdirected pursuit of happiness is initially associated with depression whereas subsequent experiences of depression are related to a misdirected pursuit of social acceptance. Implications are discussed in terms of understanding the cancer patients' motivations controlling goal setting. It is suggested that successful psychotherapy for depression in cancer patients needs to examine the motivations controlling goal setting in addition to the process of goal pursuit.

Depression in older adults: exploring the relationship between goal setting and physical health

“…This instrument was designed to measure depression in the general population, and has been used to measure depression in adults 65þ years (Berkman et al, 1986). In line with (Street, 2003), only 18 of the 20 items were used, as two items referred to physical symptoms that may be related to depression and/or physical health problems. The remaining items considered the behavioural and emotional aspects of depressive symptomatology experienced in the previous week.…”

“…Older people with physical illness have higher rates of depression (Murphy, 1982) and studies have also noted the particularly high rate of co-morbidity between depressive disorder and general medical conditions (Moldin et al, 1993). Other studies have shown those suffering from poor physical health do not necessarily become depressed (Street, 2003). For example, Street found that cancer patients were significantly more likely to be depressed if they exhibited the specific goal setting style of Conditional Goal Setting (Street, 2002) irrespective of the burden of illness (Street, 2003).…”

“…Other studies have shown those suffering from poor physical health do not necessarily become depressed (Street, 2003). For example, Street found that cancer patients were significantly more likely to be depressed if they exhibited the specific goal setting style of Conditional Goal Setting (Street, 2002) irrespective of the burden of illness (Street, 2003).…”

“…Yet not all elderly people with poor physical health suffer from depression or depressive symptoms (Street, 2003). It is hypothesized that the goal setting style of the individual mediates part of the relationship between poor physical health and depression.…”

Mediators between perfectionism and eating disorder psychopathology: Shape and weight overvaluation and conditional goal‐setting

“…CGS has received preliminary empirical support as a predictor of depression in child, adolescent, student, older adult, athlete, and cancer patient samples. [31][32][33][34][35][36] Despite face and clinical validity, this theory has not been applied to EDs. Higher-order end-states have been recognized as motivating functions of EDs in cognitive and psychodynamic accounts of illness [37][38][39] and in empirical research, 40,41 and ''goal linking'' cognitions have been recommended as a treatment target by experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy.…”