Citation

Mathews S, Williams B, Nedeljkovic M. Aust. Psychol. 2020; 55(4): 389-396.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Australian Psychological Society, Publisher Wiley-Blackwell)

DOI

10.1111/ap.12442

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Temporal self‐appraisal theory proposes people perceive themselves as improving over time as a means of self‐enhancement. The current longitudinal study examined patterns of temporal self‐appraisal in individuals meeting criteria for a depressive and/or an anxiety disorder compared with healthy controls. Thirty‐four participants who met criteria for a depressive and/or anxiety disorder and 109 healthy controls were asked to appraise themselves as they currently were and how they expected to be in 4-weeks' time. Four weeks later, 20 participants who met criteria for a depressive and/or anxiety disorder and 62 healthy controls appraised themselves as they currently were and how they were 4-weeks ago (58 and 56% retention, respectively). Similar to healthy controls, participants with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder perceived the self on an upward trajectory over time. This occurred in the absence of actual improvement, reflecting self‐enhancing motives. Participants with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder had lower overall self‐appraisals. This highlights the need for therapy to target self‐appraisals in anxiety and depression. Patterns of temporal self‐appraisal may have a protective function in depression and anxiety that could be maximised in treatment.

Keywords

affect; anxiety; depression; mood; self; time