title: You've gotta know when to fold 'em: goal disengagement and systemic inflammation in adolescence.
abstract: The notion that persistence is essential for success and happiness is deeply embedded in popular and scientific writings. However, when people are faced with situations in which they cannot realize a key life goal, the most adaptive response for mental and physical health may be to disengage from that goal. This project followed 90 adolescents over the course of 1 year. Capacities for managing unattainable goals were assessed at baseline, and concentrations of the inflammatory molecule C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified at that time, as well as 6 and 12 months later. To the extent that subjects had difficulties disengaging from unattainable goals, they displayed increasing concentrations of CRP over the follow-up. This association was independent of potential confounds, including adiposity, smoking, and depression. Because excessive inflammation contributes to a variety of adverse medical outcomes, these findings suggest that in some contexts, persistence may actually undermine well-being and good health.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. gemiller@psych.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wrosch
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D001290:Attitude; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein