Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Research has begun to uncover how individual temperamental and self-regulatory differences relate to certain psychopathological symptoms. Specifically, the current literature is expanding the view of how anhedonia, effortful control (EC), and reinforcement sensitivity may relate to one other. The aim of this study was to examine these relationships and explore models that might explain how these variables interact to predict valued living. Specifically, it was hypothesized that 1) greater anhedonia would be associated with lower levels of valued living, 2) the behavioral activation system (BAS) would moderate the effect that anhedonia has on valued living by decreasing its impact, with EC moderating that interaction, and 3) the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) would moderate the relationship between anhedonia and valued living by increasing the negative effect of anhedonia, and that EC would moderate that interaction by attenuating the effect of the BIS. Data were collected from undergraduate students (n = 94) enrolled at a southern public comprehensive university. Obtained findings supported the hypothesis that higher levels of anhedonia would predict lower levels of valued living. It was found that EC, but not BAS, significantly moderated the relationship between anhedonia and valued living by partially protecting against the negative effect of anhedonia. Finally, a significant three-way interaction was found between BIS, EC, and anhedonia. Generally, higher BIS scores were associated with less valued living, and, conversely, higher EC scores were associated with greater valued living. Limitations of the current study, implications for research and clinical applications, and future directions are discussed.

Year manuscript completed

2021

Year degree awarded

2021

Author's Keywords

anhedonia, effortful control, valued living, reinforcement sensitivity

Thesis Advisor

Michael J. Bordieri

Committee Member

Amanda W. Joyce

Committee Member

D. Gage Jordan

Committee Member

Angie Trzepacz

Document Type

Thesis

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