Dimensions of temperament and depressive symptoms: Replicating a three-way interaction

Abstract

High negative emotionality (NE), low positive emotionality (PE), and low self-regulatory capacity (i.e., effortful control or EC) are related to depressive symptoms and furthermore, may moderate one another’s relations to such symptoms. Indeed, preliminary evidence suggests they may operate in a three-way interaction (Dinovo & Vasey, 2011), but the replicability of that finding remains unknown. Therefore, we tested this NExPExEC interaction in association with depressive symptoms in 5 independent samples. This interaction was significant in 4 of the 5 samples and a combined sample and approached significance in the fifth sample. In contrast, the NExPExEC interaction was unrelated to general anxious symptoms and thus may be specific to symptoms of depression. Implications, directions for future research, and limitations are discussed.

Associations Between Temperament, Emotion Regulation, and Depression in Youth: The Role of Positive Temperament

“…This has been found in non-clinical youth (Loney et al 2006;Vasey et al 2013a, b), as well as in youth psychiatric inpatients (Joiner and Lonigan 2000). Additionally, a handful of studies also found prospective evidence for high PE as a resilience factor, buffering the effect of high levels of NE on depressive symptoms (Vasey et al 2013a, b;Wetter and Hankin 2009). These findings are consistent with theoretical accounts that positive emotions, which are peculiar to PE, can buffer against the negative effects of high levels of NE (Fredrickson 2004).…”

“…Current evidence of research investigating the NE 9 PE interaction indicates that low PE indeed acts as a vulnerability factor (i.e., moderator) in the association between high levels of NE and depressive symptoms. This has been found in non-clinical youth (Loney et al 2006;Vasey et al 2013a, b), as well as in youth psychiatric inpatients (Joiner and Lonigan 2000). Additionally, a handful of studies also found prospective evidence for high PE as a resilience factor, buffering the effect of high levels of NE on depressive symptoms (Vasey et al 2013a, b;Wetter and Hankin 2009).…”

“…Interestingly, researchers recently started to address the dynamic interplay between NE and PE for depressive symptoms, assuming that both temperamental reactivity dimensions also moderate one another's association with depressive symptoms (e.g., Loney et al 2006;Vasey et al 2013a, b;Verstraeten et al 2012). This is in line with affective models of depression, in which depression is characterized by both high levels of NE and low levels of PE (i.e., Tripartite Model; Clark and Watson 1991).…”

“…This has been empirically affirmed in children, adolescents, and adults alike (for review see Klein et al 2011). Moreover, research has consistently demonstrated that high levels of NE can considered to be a risk factor for the development of internalizing disorders (Clark et al 1994) and depressive symptoms in youth (Vasey et al 2013a, b;Wetter and Hankin 2009). Unfortunately, research on affective vulnerabilities to depression has typically focused on NE, and largely neglects the role of PE.…”

Normative and Clinical Self-Perceptions of Sexuality and Their Links to Psychopathology among Adolescents

“…Previous research has highlighted effortful control as a resilience factor for psychopathology [37], and negative affectivity [38] and orienting sensitivity as risk factors. Research has also indicated that extraversion is associated with externalizing but not with internalizing symptoms.…”