Coping as a moderator of self-discrepancies and psychological distress

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe current study examined the moderating effects of different types of coping styles between self-discrepancy and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). Participants consisted of 143 university students who completed measures of self-discrepancy, coping styles, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The present research partially replicated previous findings of the unique relations between different types of self-discrepancies and specific psychological distress. Actual-ideal discrepancy uniquely and positively related to depressive symptoms, and actual-ought discrepancy positively related to both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Regarding the moderating role of coping, task-oriented coping buffered the relation between actual-ideal self-discrepancy and depressive symptoms. Avoidance-oriented coping buffered the relation between actual-ideal self-discrepancy and depressive symptoms, while it amplified the relation between actual-ought self-discrepancy and anxiety. The findings extend the literature on self-discrepancy theory by informing how coping styles play a role in the relation between self-discrepancy and psychological distress. Clinicians can use the findings by targeting coping styles for clients who suffer from anxiety or depressive symptoms caused by self-discrepancy.