The Relationship Between Depression and Different Types of Positive Future Goals Cross-sectionally and Over Time

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between different types of positive future goals and severity of depression. Positive future thinking (PFT) refers to positive cognitions about the future and is impaired in individuals with a major depressive disorder. Earlier research has shown that not all sorts of PFT are protective when it comes to suicidal behavior. In this study, it was hypothesized that patients with high levels of positive future goals related to intrapersonal goals score higher on the depression scale. Moreover, it was hypothesized that patients with high levels of intrapersonal positive future goals show less remission in depression scores. A total of 195 outpatients with a major depressive disorder generated as many positive future goals as possible and completed the IDS-SR depression questionnaire. After 4 to 6 months of treatment as usual, participants again completed the IDS-SR. Regression analyses were performed with depression scores and number of positive future goals per category, or with depression scores and proportion of positive future goals per category. Findings demonstrate that the types of positive future goals are differently associated with depression at the start of treatment. Patients with high levels of Work/education positive future goals have lower scores on the depression scale. Moreover, patients with high levels of Emotions/feelings positive future goals have higher scores on the depression scale. No conclusions can be made about causality as there is no relationship found between positive future goals and depression over time. Since causality is not clear, is it difficult to formulate clinical implications. Further research is necessary to further investigate the found relationships and the direction of these relationships.