Correlational relationships between self-statements and affective states

Abstract

The current study examined the correlational relationship between specific cognitions and affective states in normal individuals. A research inventory composed of five hypothetical situations and a series of self-report measures of psychopathology was administered to 224 undergraduates. Participants responded to the inventory by rating the situational characteristicness of specific self-statements and affects. An additional 212 participants completed only an observer version of the inventory. Specific self-statements were found to be highly correlated with corresponding affective states in both the actor and observer inventory conditions. Specific irrational self-statements were also significantly related to noncorresponding dysphoric affects, while a negative relationship was obtained between rational cognitions and dysphoric affects. The magnitude of these relationships was significantly greater for low cross-situationally consistent individuals. Multiple-regression analyses indicated that although specific irrational self-statements and affects were only moderately correlated with corresponding self-report measures of psychopathology, the relationship between specific self-statements and affects with respect to the measures was an interactional one. The methodological features of the study and the implications of the findings are discussed.