Reducing the dreaded: change of avoidance motivation in psychotherapy

Abstract

All humans avoid aversive experiences. Avoidance motivational goals are defined as ontogenetically developed mental representations of avoided transactions, and avoidance motivation as the totality of an individual's avoidance motivational goals. Based on previous research, avoidance motivation is hypothesized to contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathology. The authors tested the hypotheses that the intensity of avoidance motivation is reduced by outpatient psychotherapy, that the intensity of avoidance motivation after therapy approaches normality, and that change in avoidance motivation is related to other kinds of therapy outcomes. Seventy-six outpatients completed a self-report measure of avoidance motivational goals before and after therapy. All hypotheses were confirmed. Explorative analyses found differential patterns of change of avoidance motivational goals as well as relationships with psychotherapy outcomes. The authors discuss the role of avoidance motivation in psychotherapy practice and research and outline areas for future research.