A tale of two systems: Testing a positive and negative valence systems framework to understand social disconnection across anxiety and depressive disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social disconnection is a common and pernicious feature of anxiety and depressive disorders, yet is insufficiently addressed by our best available treatments. To better understand why people with anxiety and depression feel socially disconnected, we tested a positive and negative valence systems framework informed by research on how normative social connections develop and flourish.

Method

Individuals seeking treatment for anxiety or depression (N = 150) completed measures of perceived social connectedness, positive and negative valence temperament, social goals, affect, symptoms, and life satisfaction.

Results

Feeling less socially connected was associated with diminished life satisfaction, beyond clinical symptom severity. Regression analyses revealed tha

SUBMITTER: Taylor CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7351468 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature