The mediating effect of stress reactivity in the 18-year bidirectional relationship between generalized anxiety and depression severity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) often precede and predict one another. Heightened stress reactivity may be a mediation mechanism underlying the long-term connections between GAD and MDD. However, cross-sectional studies on this topic have hindered directional inferences.

Method

The present study examined stress reactivity as a potential mediator of the sequential associations between GAD and MDD symptoms in a sample of 3,294 community-dwelling adults (M age = 45.6, range = 20-74). Participants completed three waves of measurement (T1, T2, and T3) spaced nine years apart. GAD and MDD symptom severity were assessed at T1, T2, and T3 (Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form). Stress reactivity (Multidimensional P

SUBMITTER: Barber KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9930685 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature