Goal conflict and ambivalence interact to predict depression

Rebecca E. Kelly; Warren Mansell; Alex M. Wood

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2010.11.018

Goal conflict and ambivalence interact to predict depression

Rebecca E. Kelly, Warren Mansell, Alex M. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Research has found inconsistent relationships between goal conflict and distress. In the present research, the interaction of conflict between goals and ambivalence about goals was a significant predictor of depression symptoms in 120 students. Depression symptoms were highest in individuals with low levels of conflict and high levels of ambivalence. Considering the interaction between goal conflict and psychological distress reveals a new interpretation of their relationship with psychological distress. It is concluded that ambivalence is most distressing when individuals' goals do not make conflicting demands on resources, as this ambivalence is likely to result from deeper-rooted, less conscious motivational conflict. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	531-534
Number of pages	3
Journal	Personality and Individual Differences
Volume	50
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.11.018
Publication status	Published - Apr 2011

Keywords

Ambivalence
Depression
Goal conflict
Interaction

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10.1016/j.paid.2010.11.018

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title = "Goal conflict and ambivalence interact to predict depression",

abstract = "Research has found inconsistent relationships between goal conflict and distress. In the present research, the interaction of conflict between goals and ambivalence about goals was a significant predictor of depression symptoms in 120 students. Depression symptoms were highest in individuals with low levels of conflict and high levels of ambivalence. Considering the interaction between goal conflict and psychological distress reveals a new interpretation of their relationship with psychological distress. It is concluded that ambivalence is most distressing when individuals' goals do not make conflicting demands on resources, as this ambivalence is likely to result from deeper-rooted, less conscious motivational conflict. {\textcopyright} 2010 Elsevier Ltd.",

keywords = "Ambivalence, Depression, Goal conflict, Interaction",

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AU - Kelly, Rebecca E.

AU - Mansell, Warren

AU - Wood, Alex M.

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N2 - Research has found inconsistent relationships between goal conflict and distress. In the present research, the interaction of conflict between goals and ambivalence about goals was a significant predictor of depression symptoms in 120 students. Depression symptoms were highest in individuals with low levels of conflict and high levels of ambivalence. Considering the interaction between goal conflict and psychological distress reveals a new interpretation of their relationship with psychological distress. It is concluded that ambivalence is most distressing when individuals' goals do not make conflicting demands on resources, as this ambivalence is likely to result from deeper-rooted, less conscious motivational conflict. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

AB - Research has found inconsistent relationships between goal conflict and distress. In the present research, the interaction of conflict between goals and ambivalence about goals was a significant predictor of depression symptoms in 120 students. Depression symptoms were highest in individuals with low levels of conflict and high levels of ambivalence. Considering the interaction between goal conflict and psychological distress reveals a new interpretation of their relationship with psychological distress. It is concluded that ambivalence is most distressing when individuals' goals do not make conflicting demands on resources, as this ambivalence is likely to result from deeper-rooted, less conscious motivational conflict. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

KW - Ambivalence

KW - Depression

KW - Goal conflict

KW - Interaction

U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2010.11.018

DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2010.11.018

M3 - Article

SN - 0191-8869

VL - 50

SP - 531

EP - 534

JO - Personality and Individual Differences

JF - Personality and Individual Differences

IS - 4

ER -

Goal conflict and ambivalence interact to predict depression

Abstract

Keywords

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