Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 34, No. 2, 2015, pp. 161-180 161 © 2015 Guilford Publications, Inc. Address correspondence to Erin N. Stevens, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, Psychology Computer Science Bldg. Rm. 400, DeKalb, IL 60115; E-mail: estevens@niu.edu NEGATIVE AFFECTIVE OUTCOMES STEVENS ET AL. THE INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN GOAL STRENGTH AND SELF-DISCREPANCIES: EXAMINING NEGATIVE AFFECTIVE OUTCOMES ERIN N. STEVENS Northern Illinois University JOSEPH R. BARDEEN Auburn University LAURA D. PITTMAN AND M. CHRISTINE LOVEJOY Northern Illinois University Self-discrepancy theory postulates that negative affective states (e.g., depres- sion and anxiety) may be a consequence of discrepancies between individuals’ goals and their self-perceptions. One theoretical construct that has been hypoth- esized to infuence the magnitude of the association between self-discrepancies and negative affect is goal strength, or how cognitively accessible individuals’ goals are. The current study employed a computerized lexical decision task to measure goal strength. We hypothesized that goal strength would moderate the discrepancy-negative affect association, even after controlling for general mental processing speed. Over the course of two assessment sessions, participants (N = 162) completed self-report measures assessing self-discrepancies, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and were administered a lexical decision task which as- sessed the strength, or accessibility, of their self-identifed goals. Consistent with hypotheses, results suggest that goal strength is a moderator of the discrepancy- depression relationship, above and beyond what can be accounted for by general reaction times and mental processing speed. The implications of these results for the conceptualization of self-discrepancies and the emergence of depressive symptoms are discussed.