DESPERATELY SEEKING HAPPINESS: VALUING HAPPINESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional and case-control observational study designs
PubMed 25678736 · doi:10.1521/jscp.2014.33.10.890
What was done
Two observational studies were conducted in U.S. samples to evaluate the relationship between valuing happiness and depression. Study 1 assessed the association between valuing happiness and depressive symptoms in a community sample with remitted major depressive disorder (MDD), controlling for social desirability and neuroticism. Study 2 compared valuing happiness between individuals with remitted MDD and healthy controls, controlling for current depressive symptoms, general affect valuation, and extreme goal pursuit.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics. It states that valuing happiness was associated with increased depressive symptoms in remitted MDD (Study 1) and was elevated in remitted MDD participants compared to healthy controls (Study 2) after adjusting for covariates.
Why it matters
This work suggests that placing an extreme value on attaining happiness may paradoxically be linked to depressive symptoms and diagnosis.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes, effect magnitudes, or demographic details. The observational cross-sectional and case-control designs prevent causal inference.