INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN GOAL ADJUSTMENT ABILITY AND MAGNITUDE OF EMOTIONAL AND AUTONOMIC RESPONSES TO AN UNSOLVABLE ANAGRAM TASK

Abstract

Individuals differ in their ability to disengage from unattainable goals (referred to as goal disengagement ability, GD ability) and reengage in other potentially more rewarding activities (referred to as goal reengagement ability, GR ability). In theory, these two distinct traits function to buffer individuals from prolonged emotional distress that can accompany persevering with hopeless goals and, thus, may have health benefits. However, to date, studies are limited by cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported assessment of GD and GR ability. Accordingly, a primary aim of the current study was to conduct an initial examination of whether responses on the widely used Goal Disengagement and Goal Reengagement Scale (Wrosch, Scheier, Miller, Schulz, & Carver, 2003) relate to disengagement behavior during a laboratory unsolvable anagram task. Secondary aims examined whether GD and GR ability relates to baseline and task-related changes in affect and cardiovascular measures. For these purposes, 90 undergraduate students completed the Goal Disengagement and Goal Reengagement Scale and an anagram solving task under time pressure. Affect and cardiovascular parameters (HR, BP, and HF-HRV) were assessed at baseline, prior to task performance, during the task, and following the task. Results did not show an association between trait GD ability and time spent working on anagrams. In regards to affect and cardiovascular response, some findings were consistent with our expectations while others were not. For instance, we found trait GR ability predicted higher pre-task positive mood. However, persisting longer during unsolvable sets, rather than early disengagement, was associated with smaller reduction in positive mood and feelings of in-control. Similarly, trait GD ability was associated with smaller increases in HR during unsolvable anagrams. However, trait GD was related to higher baseline HR and a significant interaction suggested that individuals who endorsed higher trait GD and GR ability showed an elevated baseline DBP, compared to individuals who were high in GD and low in GR ability. We also did not find any significant associations between self-reported GD and GR ability and baseline or task-related HF-HRV. A number of possible explanations are considered for the unexpected findings and potential future directions are proposed.

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