A Multi-Method Test of the Tripartite Model of Anxiety and Depression in Children

• In Event: Poster Session 05
  In Poster Session: PS 05 Topic - Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

Childhood anxiety and depressive symptoms are both prevalent and associated with significant impairment (Costello et al., 2006). Moreover, anxiety and depressive symptoms frequently co-occur, with comorbidity rates ranging from 10-75% across studies (Axelson & Birmaher, 2001; Costello et al., 2003). Questions remain, however, regarding which processes overlap between anxiety and depression, possibly accounting for their co-occurrence, and what process are unique to each disorder. Clark and Watson’s tripartite model (Clark & Watson, 1991) proposes that physiological arousal may distinguish between depression and anxiety; specifically, physiological reactivity may be a unique aspect of anxiety, whereas low positive affect may be unique to depression. High negative affect is posited to be a shared domain between the two disorders. Support for this model in children has been mixed (Anderson & Hope, 2008; De Boelle & De Fryut, 2010). Whereas most studies have tested the constructs of positive and negative affect, it’s unclear whether children’s physiological reactivity to stress is differentially predictive of depression and anxiety. Another limitation of previous studies testing the tripartite model with children is that they typically use questionnaire (rather than objective) measures of physiological arousal. The purpose of the proposed study is to provide a test of the tripartite model in children using a multi-method approach. Specifically, we plan to test the extent to which positive affect, negative affect, and physiological reactivity differentially predict symptoms of anxiety and depression in line with the tripartite model, using both self-report and objective measures of physiological arousal. The data for this study are already collected, but have not been analyzed. We are confident that analyses will be completed well before the conference dates. Participants are 55 children (M age= 13.50, SD= 1.80; 52.7% female) and their parents, who were recruited from the community to participate in a study about family relationships and mental health. The sample was racially and ethnically diverse: 30.9% White, 32.7% African American, 25.5% Hispanic/Latinx, 3.6% Asian, and the remaining 7.3% identified as more than one race. All measures and tasks occurred during a 4-hour lab visits. Children completed the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children and Physiological Hyperarousal Scale. Both parents and children reported on children’s anxiety symptoms on the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders and children provided self-reports on the Children’s Depression Inventory. To provide an objective assessment of children’s physiological arousal to positive and negative stimuli, participants viewed pictures from the International Affective Picture System that have been normed for use with children. Pictures were presented in 2-min blocks (positive, negative, neutral; counterbalanced) while we assessed both parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrythmia) and sympathetic (pre-ejection period, skin conductance) activity. Children also provided self-reports of their arousal and valence of emotional response after each IAPS block using the Self-Assessment Manikin. The analysis plan will be pre-registered on the Open Science Framework prior to conducting analyses. The findings for this project are expected to advance our understanding of the utility of the tripartite model for understanding the distinct processes underlying different forms of internalizing symptoms in children.

Authors

• Brock A. Rigsby, Southern Methodist University
  Presenting Author

• Erin M Kerwin, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chrystyna D Kouros, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author