Increases in depressive anhedonia predict psychopathology symptoms in adolescents

Abstract

Background: Recent works have s uggested changes in anhedonia may be a stronger predictor of psychological disorders than trait and state anhedonia. However, whether the distinction between different types of anhedonia occurs in adolescents remains unclear. Methods: A total of 543 adolescents aged 14-16 years completed measures of anhedonia at two time points one year apart. State anhedonia was assessed using the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale while trait social anhedonia was assessed using the Adolescent Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale and depressive anhedonia was assessed using the anhedonia subscale from the Child Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Results: State, trait social and depressive anhedonia significantly increased over time. Increases in depressive anhedonia predicted all psychopathology symptoms, and increases in state anhedonia predicted suicidal ideation and anxiety, but increases in trait social anhedonia did not predict any psychopathology symptoms. Negative schizotypy predicted increases in state or trait social anhedonia whereas disorganizated schizotypy, depression, generalized anxiety, suicidal ideation, academic and bereavement stressful events predicted increases in depressive anhedonia after controlling for baseline anhedonia. Conclusions: This finding suggests changes in depressive anhedonia, in contrast to state and trait anhedonia, is a major contributing factor to psychopathology in adolescence.