GOALFLEX: Developing an integrative framework of goal flexibility, depression, and anxiety symptomatology

This project is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions–funded Postdoctoral Fellowship that aims to develop a novel conceptual framework linking goal flexibility and mental health. In pursuing goals, we often encounter obstacles that can render our goals unattainable. When individuals are unable to adjust their goals in such circumstances, they may be more likely to experience mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Accordingly, we need to understand how people adapt during goal pursuit—and how these adaptive changes, which we refer to as goal flexibility, may prevent or ameliorate mental health symptomatology.

The objectives of the project are to:
1. Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to develop a new conceptual framework linking goal flexibility and mental health processes.
2. Conduct an empirical study using ecological momentary assessment to provide a preliminary evaluation of the conceptual framework.
3. Use computational modelling to simulate the proposed framework, integrating evidence from Objective 1 and findings from Objective 2 to refine the conceptual framework.

The Danish Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Science (DRIVEN), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), contributes to all project objectives. For Objective 1, DRIVEN will support development of the conceptual framework, drawing on expertise in motivational science and health behaviour change. For Objective 2, DRIVEN will identify salient goal-pursuit and mental health constructs to evaluate and refine the framework empirically. In collaboration with partners at Ohio University and the University of Queensland, DRIVEN members will develop and implement the computational modelling required to simulate the proposed framework.