Pursuing Interpersonal Goals: Consequences for Interpersonal Conflict, Self-Relevant Affect, and Alcohol-Related Problems.

Abstract

Three studies tested the effects of two interpersonal goals, self-image goals and compassionate goals, on hostility and conflict (Study 1), alcohol-related problems (Study 2), and self-relevant affect following goal progress and setbacks (Study 3). Self-image goals involve constructing and defending a positive self-image in the eyes of other people, whereas compassionate goals involve supporting others and contributing to something outside the self, thus reflecting two different motivational perspectives on the self. Using a longitudinal design (pretest assessments and 10 subsequent weekly surveys), Study 1 showed that chronic self-image goals, pursued by narcissistically entitled people, predict chronic relationship conflict and hostility. Chronic compassionate goals did not predict these same negative interpersonal outcomes. Study 2 showed that self-image goals, but not compassionate goals, are positively associated with alcohol-related problems. Subsequent cross-sectional path models showed that self-image goals relate to coping motives for drinking (drinking to reduce negative affect), but not enhancement motives (drinking to increase positive affect); coping motives then relate to heavy-episodic drinking, which in turn relate to alcohol-related problems. These results suggest a model of how self-image goals may translate into alcohol-related problems. Thus, given that self-image goals predict negative consequences and compassionate goals do not, Study 3 shifted focus to possible beneficial effects of compassionate goals. Specifically, and again using a longitudinal design (pretest assessments and 10 subsequent weekly surveys), Study 3 tested whether compassionate goals buffer negative emotional experience (i.e., shame) following goal setbacks in domains of contingent self-worth. Results showed that on weeks participants were high on compassionate goals relative to their own mean score, they were partially protected from experiencing shame. Taken together, these studies indicate that self-image goals to create desired self-images ultimately create interpersonal and intrapersonal problems; compassionate goals to support others do not create these same problems, and may instead offer some protection from consequences that arise from self-image concerns.