Linking: An exploration of related constructs and effects on happiness

This longitudinal study investigated (a) the relationship between linking, which refers to the belief that goal attainment is necessary in order to be happy, and theoretically related constructs and (b) the relationship between the interaction of linking and recent life events in predicting happiness as well as depressive symptoms. Questionnaire packets were completed by 192 undergraduates (122 women and 70 men) at 2 times approximately 8 weeks apart in a semester. Linking was positively correlated with constructs such as rumination, performance motivation, overgeneralization, and the degree to which negative inferences about the self are made from negative events. Linking was negatively correlated with self-esteem and a learning motivation. Analyses of concurrent measures revealed that linking and linking in interaction with life events were positively related to depressive symptoms and negatively related to happiness. Linking as well as the interaction of linking and life events did not predict changes in depressive symptoms from Time 1 to Time 2. However, the interaction between linking and the positive event rating on the life events measure did predict change in happiness from Time 1 to Time 2.