2003/12/01 by Jerusha Detweiler-Bedell, Peter Salovey · 1 citation
Psychology · #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Behavioral Health and Interventions
paper · doi:10.1521/jscp.22.6.627.22935
openalex publication_date 2003/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Recipients of cognitive therapy for depression often have difficulty adhering to treatment recommendations. We hypothesize that individuals may be sensitive to the difference between avoidance-framed (“escape negative moods”) and approach-framed (“achieve positive moods”) messages advocating suggested mood repair strategies. In Experiment 1, 114 participants were exposed to either approach or avoidance-framed messages. Regardless of dysphoric symptoms, participants who viewed the advocated strategy as less important were more motivated by an avoidance-framed message. In contrast, participants who viewed the strategy as highly important were more motivated by an approach-framed message. Experiment 2 replicated and extended these findings among 77 individuals. Participants with weak prior mood repair habits who were made to feel sad were more motivated by an avoidance-framed message, whereas those with strong prior habits were more motivated by an approach-framed message.