All Goals are Equal: No Interactions Between Depressive Symptoms and Goal Characteristics on Goal Progress

Abstract

Introduction. Depression is related to poor achievement and impacts people's capacity to attain their goals (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Johnson et al., 2010; Street, 2002). But do depressive symptoms impact goal pursuit differently depending on the kinds of goals that people pursue? Methods. Across three studies (total N = 666 undergraduate students, total goals = 2,546), we examine the role of up to 16 goal characteristics as moderators in the relationship between depressive symptoms and goal progress. Depressive symptoms and goal characteristics were assessed at baseline, and participants reported on goal progress at a follow-up 1 month (Study 1), 4 months (Study 2), or 8 months (Study 3) later. Results. The effect of depressive symptoms on goal progress was nonsignificant in two out of three studies (including one with low power), but an internal meta-analysis presented a small negative effect. Most goal characteristics did not moderate the relationship between depressive symptoms and goal progress, with Bayes factors suggesting substantial to very strong evidence in favor of the null hypotheses. Discussion. The kinds of goals students pursue may not matter in the presence of depressive symptoms. On one hand, this may provide a bleak outlook in highlighting that depressive symptoms impact all goals regardless of how well they are selected. On the other hand, the effects were small, which may offer a hopeful outlook for undergraduate students experiencing depressive symptoms, who may still be able to progress on their personal goals.