Emotion-network density in Major Depressive Disorder (2015)

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent disorder involving disturbances in mood. There is still much to understand regarding precisely how emotions are disrupted in individuals with MDD. In this study, we used a network approach to examine the emotional disturbances underlying MDD. We hypothesized that compared with healthy control individuals, individuals diagnosed with MDD would be characterized by a denser emotion network, thereby indicating that their emotion system is more resistant to change. Indeed, results from a 7-day experience sampling study revealed that individuals with MDD had a denser overall emotion network than did healthy control individuals. Moreover, this difference was driven primarily by a denser negative, but not positive, network in MDD participants. These findings suggest that the disruption in emotions that characterizes depressed individuals stems from a negative emotion system that is resistant to change.

Bibliographic entry

Pe, M. L., Kircanski, K., Thompson, R. J., Bringmann, L. F., Tuerlinckx, F., Mestdagh, M., Mata, J., Jaeggi, S. M., Buschkuehl, M., Jonides, J., Kuppens, P., & Gotlib, I. H. (2015). Emotion-network density in Major Depressive Disorder. Clinical Psychological Science, 3, 292-300. doi:10.1177/2167702614540645 (Full text)

Miscellaneous

Publication year 2015
Document type: Article
Publication status: Published
External URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2167702614540645 View
Categories:
Keywords: affective disordersdepressionemotion

Edit | Publications overview