When do self-discrepancies predict negative emotions? Exploring formal operational thought and abstract reasoning skills as moderators

Abstract

Individual differences in higher-order cognitive abilities may be an important piece to understanding how and when self-discrepancies lead to negative emotions. In the current study, three measures of reasoning abilities were considered as potential moderators of the relationship between self-discrepancies and depression and anxiety symptoms. Participants (N = 162) completed measures assessing self-discrepancies, depression and anxiety symptoms, and were administered measures examining formal operational thought, and verbal and non-verbal abstract reasoning skills. Both formal operational thought and verbal abstract reasoning were significant moderators of the relationship between actual:ideal discrepancies and depressive symptoms. Discrepancies predicted depressive symptoms for individuals with higher levels of formal operational thought and verbal abstract reasoning skills, but not for those with lower levels. The discussion focuses on the need to consider advanced reasoning skills when examining self-discrepancies.

Keywords:

• Self-discrepancies
• Depressive symptoms
• Anxiety symptoms
• Abstract reasoning abilities
• Formal operational thought

This study is based on the first author's dissertation. The authors would like to thank Christine Keeports and Allison Behm for their assistance in data collection for this study.

This study is based on the first author's dissertation. The authors would like to thank Christine Keeports and Allison Behm for their assistance in data collection for this study.