The Role of Personal Goals in Depressive Reaction to Adverse Life Events: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Consistent with cognitive views of depression, we aimed to investigate the mediating role of personal goals in the relationship between stressful events and distinct patterns of depressive symptoms in a nonclinical sample. Participants identified a dysphoric episode that occurred in the previous year by reporting the severity of 12 depressive symptoms and their plausible cause. A goal taxonomy was used to determine how much the event interfered with the achievement of a series of personal goals. After controlling for age and current level of depression, the patterns of symptoms differed based on the triggering events. The relationship between sadness and affective losses was partially mediated by the personal goal of lovableness, and success was a partial mediator in the association between an event of failure and symptoms of worthlessness and anhedonia. Although the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow for conclusions on the direction of effects, findings suggest the importance of motivational factors in the development of specific patterns of depressive symptoms to adverse events. Assuming a continuum from low mood to clinical depression, treatment models could benefit from a precise identification of the specific stressors that initiate depressive behaviour and the personal meaning assigned to those events.

Specific Dysphoric Symptoms Are Predicted by Early Maladaptive Schemas

“…The present study was theoretically driven by recent findings on the existence of different depressive subtypes in response to certain life events [1, 4, 24, 25]. Specifically, we aimed at exploring if symptoms of depression that emerged during a dysphoric episode after a stressful event could be predicted by stable personality characteristics such as the EMSs.…”

“…In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR; 2000), distinct subtypes based on symptomatology and its determinants are taken into account for anxiety disorders, while depression is only classified according to temporal criteria. The present study was theoretically driven by recent findings on the existence of different depressive subtypes in response to certain life events [ 1 , 4 , 24 , 25 ]. Specifically, we aimed at exploring if symptoms of depression that emerged during a dysphoric episode after a stressful event could be predicted by stable personality characteristics such as the EMSs.…”

“…The data are part of a larger study investigating cognitive factors in dysphoric episodes [ 4 ]. The study was conducted through an online survey, and participants were recruited via advertisements on the internet.…”

“…According to cognitive theories of depression [3], it is not the negative event itself but the way the individual interprets the event that leads (or not) to depressive symptoms [4]. As a consequence, when a stressful life event occurs, individuals who have negative cognitive schemas or core beliefs are at an increased risk for depression.…”

“…In recent years, the view that depression is not a unitary phenomenon has received much support and several studies demonstrated the possibility to identify different kinds of depressive reactions associated with specific types of adverse life events [ 1 , 2 ]. According to cognitive theories of depression [ 3 ], it is not the negative event itself but the way the individual interprets the event that leads (or not) to depressive symptoms [ 4 ]. As a consequence, when a stressful life event occurs, individuals who have negative cognitive schemas or core beliefs are at an increased risk for depression.…”