Abstract

This study was intended to test self-discrepancy theory assumed that self-discrepancy between actual self and ideal self is related to depression(Higgins, 1987). Further, this study investigated the influence of actual self and ideal self which are components to measure self-discrepancy on depression. Three hundred and thirteen undergraduate students participated in this study. We measured the self-discrepancy, the level of actual self, the level of ideal self by the Higgins' selves questionnaire and Hoge & McCarthy's scale. And depression was measured with Beck Depression Inventory, Depression Adjectives Check List, Hopelessness Depression Scale. The results are as follows. First, the depressed group showed higher level of self-discrepancy than the nondepressed group. Second, the depressed group showed lower level of actual self than the nondepressed group, but there was no group differences on the level of ideal self. Finally, as the result of regression analysis entering hierarchically the actual self, self-discrepancy, ideal self, the actual self was most accountable for depression. And the results of exploratory analysis showed that self discrepancy was mostly related to the level of actual self. In addition, the results were discussed in terms of self-discrepancy theory, cognitive theory and the view of perfectionism. And the limitations of this study and the suggestions for future researches were discussed.