Goal orientation in peer relations and depression among preadolescents: "Distress-generation" and "'eustress'-generation" models

Abstract

In the present study, we examined 2 mechanisms that may mediate between goal orientation in peer relations and depression. According to Dykman's (1998) proposal, we examined Hammen's (1991) stress-generation model as one of these mechanisms. Furthermore, we expanded the stress-generation model by proposing and examining a "'eustress'-generation model," which hypothesizes that adaptive interpersonal behavior → generation of positive interpersonal stress → (non) depression. We renamed the existing stress-generation model, which predicts that negative interpersonal stress will be generated, as the "distress-generation model." Kinds of goal orientation investigated were: (1) interpersonal experience/growth (the goal of developing oneself by acquiring interpersonal experiences), (2) performance approach (the goal of obtaining positive personality evaluations in peer relations), and (3) performance avoidance (the goal of avoiding negative personality evaluations in peer relations). The results were as follows: (1) A high interpersonal experience/growth goal led to low depression through prosocial or relationship-maintenance behavior and 'eustress'-generation. (2) A high performance-approach goal led to low depression through relationship-maintenance behavior and 'eustress'-generation. (3) A high performance-avoidance goal contributed to high depression because that did not generate relationship-maintenance behavior or interpersonal 'eustress'.