Episodic Positive Future-Thinking: Anxiety, Depression, And Hopelessness

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Brittany Foster (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
John Paul Jameson

Abstract: Episodic future-thinking is the ability to project oneself into the future to pre-experience a personal future event. Research suggests that episodic future-thinking may be involved in the cognitive deficits associated with psychopathology such as anxiety, depression, and hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The majority of research has focused on simulation future-thinking as it pertains to psychopathology. However, little attention has been given to the relationship between other types of future-thinking (prediction, planning) and goal setting and psychopathology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to pilot an electronic episodic future-thinking task that included three types of episodic future-thinking, with aspects of goal setting included, and to examine the predictive 'anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. It was hypothesized that prediction positive future-thinking and beliefs about goals (i.e., likelihood and importance ratings) would be negatively associated with anxiety, but that simulation and planning will have no relationship. It was also hypothesized that all types of future-thinking and beliefs about goals would be negatively related to depression and hopelessness. Surprisingly, the results did not support the hypotheses. The findings and areas for future development and research are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Foster, B. (2021). Episodic Positive Future-Thinking: Anxiety, Depression, And Hopelessness. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
Future-Thinking, Episodic, Anxiety, Depression, Hopelessness

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