Anxiety,self-discrepancy,and regulatory focus theory: acculturation matters |
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Authors: | Cheri A Levinson Thomas L Rodebaugh |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology , Washington University in St Louis , St Louis , MO , 63130 , USA Cherialevinson@wustl.edu;3. Department of Psychology , Washington University in St Louis , St Louis , MO , 63130 , USA |
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Abstract: | Previous research has found that Asians (vs. Caucasians) exhibit higher levels of ought and undesired self-discrepancies and prevention focus, all of which have been linked with anxiety. We examined these ethnic differences in the context of acculturation. Participants (N=155) completed two sessions scheduled a week apart. In Session 1, participants completed a computer task to measure self-discrepancy and prevention focus. In Session 2, participants' ought self-discrepancies and closeness to an undesired self were primed. Moderation analyses indicated that Asian participants who were highly assimilated to an Asian culture exhibited higher levels of a prevention focus. Acculturation also had significant moderation effects for affect when self-discrepancies were primed. Our results suggest that interventions based on these systems (i.e., self-system therapy) should consider acculturation when treating diverse individuals. |
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Keywords: | self-discrepancy regulatory focus anxiety acculturation ethnicity culture |
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