The functional role of resignation orientation on goal engagement, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression
Several studies in Europe and North America have highlighted the importance of resignation or giving up. Research has shown that resignation is as important as goal attain ment. Hence, this study examines, using path analysis, the effect of resignation orientation on goal disengagement and reengagement. Furthermore, this study attempts to clarify the implication of resignation orientation for ele ments of mental well-being. Questionnaires were completed by 261 Japanese college stu dents. Results showed that proactive resigna tion orientation promotes reestablishment of alternative goals while negative resignation orientation encourages disengagement of the unattainable goals. The findings help explain the functional role of resignation orientation and can inform the development of treatment for resignation-related depression.
1. Heckhausen J, Schulz R. A life-span theory of control. Psychol Rev 1995;102:284-304.
2. Carver CS, Scheier MF. Origins and functions of positive and negative affect: a control-process view. Psychol Rev 1990;97:19-35.
3. Sprangers MA, Schwartz CE. Integrating response shift into health-related quality of life research: a theoretical model. Soc Sci Med 1999;48:1507-15.
4. Brandtstädter J, Renner G. Tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment: explication and age-related analysis of assimilative and accommodative strategies of coping. Psychol Aging 1990;5:58-67.
5. Wrosch C, Scheier MF, Miller GE, et al. Adaptive self-regulation of unattainable goals: goal disengagement, goal reengagement, and subjective well-being. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2003;29:1494-508.
6. Wrosch C, Miller GE, Scheier MF, De Pontet SB. Giving up on unattainable goals: benefits for health? Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2007;33:251-65.
7. Dunne E, Wrosch C, Miller GE. Goal disengagement, functional disability, and depressive symptoms in old age. Health Psychol 2011;30:763-70.
8. Suzuki S. The validity of the three dimensional model to classify coping behavior. Shinrigaku Kenkyu 2004;74:504-11. [Article in Japanese].
9. Asano K, Kodama M. Relationships between resignation orientation, optimism and automatic thoughts. J Hum Care Stud 2009;10:77-86. [Article in Japanese].
10. Asano K, Kodama M. Development of a Japanese goal disengagement and reengagement scale. Tsukuba Psychol Res 2009;37:99-105.
11. Neter E, Litvak A, Miller A. Goal disengagement and goal re-engagement among multiple sclerosis patients: relationship to well-being and illness representation. Psychol Health 2009;24:175-86.
12. Asano K, Kodama M. The effect of resignation orientation in goal setting. 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine 2008;218-9.
13. Sumino Z. Development of Japanese version of the satisfaction with life scale [translated by author]. Annu Conv Japn Assoc Educ Psychol 1994;36:192. [Article in Japanese].
14. Yamamoto M, Matsui Y, Yamanari Y. The structure of perceived aspects of self. Japanes J Educ Psychol 1982;30:64-8. [Article in Japanese].
15. Shima S, Kano T, Kitamura T, Asai M. A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Seishin Igaku 1985;27:717-23. [Article in Japanese].
16. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods 2007;39:175-91.
17. Asano K, Kodamam. The effect of resignation orientation in goal setting. 10th Int Congr Behav Med. Tokyo: 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine; 2008:218-9.
18. Asano K, Hatori K, Kashimura M, Ishimura I. The relations between resignation orientation, feeling experience style and mental health. J Hum Care Stud 2013;13:101-10.