Self-discrepancy: Long-term test-retest reliability and test-criterion predictive validity.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Personality Science

Background:

• Self-discrepancy theory posits that discrepancies between actual and ideal/ought selves impact psychological well-being.
• Previous research has established links between self-discrepancies and negative emotional states, but long-term reliability and predictive validity require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term test-retest reliability of self-discrepancy measures.
• To evaluate the predictive validity of self-discrepancy scores for anxiety and depression over extended periods (1 and 3 years).

Main Methods:

• Utilized two undergraduate samples (N=184, N=141) assessing real-ideal and real-ought self-discrepancies using three distinct instruments.
• Employed latent variable modeling and analyzed observed variables over 1-year and 3-year intervals.
• Measured depression and anxiety symptoms at the second time point for both samples.

Main Results:

• Substantial test-retest reliabilities and significant predictive validity for anxiety and depression were found for real-ideal and real-ought discrepancies over both 1 and 3 years.
• Observed variables demonstrated significant 1-year and 3-year reliabilities across all self-discrepancy measures.
• Most self-discrepancy measures predicted anxiety and depression, with a minor exception for the abstract measure of real-ought discrepancy in predicting depression.

Conclusions:

• Findings strongly support the long-term stability of self-discrepancy personality constructs.
• Self-discrepancy measures demonstrate robust long-term predictive associations with anxiety and depression, underscoring their enduring clinical significance.