Motivational and affective correlates of Dependency and Self-Criticism

Dependent, self-critical, mixed and control subjects (N = 152) completed the Personal Striving Assessment Packet (Emmons, Goal Concepts in Personality and Social Psychology, 1989) and self-monitored their moods for one week. Dependency and Self-Criticism were related to higher levels of negative affect. Self-Criticism was related to lower levels of positive affect. Personal strivings were categorized as belonging to one of seven motive categories. Dependency was related to a greater number of interpersonal goals, and to lower levels of achievement and independence goals. Self-Criticism was related to fewer interpersonal goals, and to a greater number of self-presentation goals. Self-critics with low levels of Dependency were also found to have a greater number of achievement strivings. The striving and mood results point to distinct motivational and affective profiles for these personality dimensions. The findings are interpreted within a vulnerability model for depression.