Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Approach/Avoidance Conflict And Emotional Functioning

Abstract

Personality has long held a prevalent place in the pantheon of psychological research. In the last 40 years, neuropsychological models of personality have become a popular predictor of human behaviour and emotionality. With a particular focus on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, this study investigated the interaction of high Behavioural Activation System (BAS) and Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) as a predictor of emotional functioning. Participants (n = 499) recruited from the community completed an online survey composed of questions on demographic information, behavioural inhibition and activation, emotional instability and indices of depression, anxiety and mixed depression–anxiety. Consistent with our primary hypothesis, the interaction of high BAS × BIS predicted emotional instability using an observed variable path model. This was subsequently associated with depression, anxiety and mixed depression–anxiety symptoms. Future avenues for research using BIS/BAS monitoring in clinical practice and study limitations are discussed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Date

11-1-2018

Publication Title

Personality and Mental Health

Volume

12

Issue

4

Number of Pages

298-308

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1002/pmh.1428

Socpus ID

85050507258 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85050507258

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS