Researchers from University of North Carolina publish findings in anxiety disorders
2007 NOV 19 -- According to recent research from the United States, "This study examined the relationship between reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), life stress, and internalizing symptoms. Generally, low sensitivity of the behavioral approach system (BAS) predicts depression whereas high sensitivity of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) predicts anxiety and depression." "However, few studies have examined how RST variables interact with life stress to predict these symptoms. It was hypothesized that higher BIS sensitivity would predict greater anxious arousal; lower BAS sensitivity and higher BIS sensitivity would predict greater anhedonic depression as predicted by the joint subsystems hypothesis (JSH); and low BAS, high BIS, and high life stress would interact to predict anhedonic depression symptoms whereas high BIS with high life stress would predict anxious symptoms. A sample of 285 undergraduates completed measures of RST, life stress, and internalizing symptoms. Greater BIS sensitivity predicted mixed anxiety-depression and anhedonic depressed symptoms, lower BAS predicted anhedonic depression symptoms, and life events predicted mixed anxiety-depression. Three-way interactions indicated that for high life stress, BIS predicted both types of symptoms. For low life stress, low BAS and high BIS predicted anhedonic depression whereas high BIS and high BAS predicted mixed anxiety-depression," wrote N.E. Hundt and colleagues, University of North Carolina. The researchers concluded: "The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the JSH." Hundt and colleagues published their study in Personality and Individual Differences (The interaction of reinforcement sensitivity and life events in the prediction of anhedonic depression and mixed anxiety-depression symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences, 2007;43(5):1001-1012). For additional information, contact N.E. Hundt, University of North Carolina, Dept. of Psychology, 296 Eberhart Bldg, POB 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA. Publisher contact information for the journal Personality and Individual Differences is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Keywords: United States, Greensboro, Anxiety Disorders, Anxiety Disorder, University of North Carolina. This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
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