Reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation model

Abstract

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) posits that individual differences in reward and punishment processing predict differences in cognition, behavior, and psychopathology. We performed a quantitative review of the relationships between reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety, in two separate sets of analyses. First, we reviewed 204 studies that reported either correlations between reinforcement sensitivity and self-reported symptom severity or differences in reinforcement sensitivity between diagnosed and healthy participants, yielding 483 effect sizes. Both depression (Hedges' g = .99) and anxiety (g = 1.21) were found to be high on punishment sensitivity. Reward sensitivity negatively predicted only depressive disorders (g =-.21). More severe clinical states (e.g., acute vs remission) predicted larger effect sizes for depression but not anxiety. Next, we reviewed an additional 39 studies that reported correlations between reinforcement sensitivity and both depression and anxiety, yielding 156 effect sizes. We then performed meta-analytic structural equation modeling to simultaneously estimate all covariances and control for comorbidity. Again we found punishment sensitivity to predict depression (β = .37) and anxiety (β = .35), with reward sensitivity only predicting depression (β =-.07). The transdiagnostic role of punishment sensitivity and the discriminatory role of reward sensitivity support a hierarchical approach to RST and psychopathology. Highlights: Sensitivity to punishment positively predicts both depression and anxiety. Sensitivity to reward discriminates between them, negatively predicting depression. This pattern was observed even when directly controlling for comorbidity. Depression's effect sizes are uniquely sensitive to clinical state. Depression's effect sizes are also moderated by method of clinical assessment.

<p>The Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation in BIS/BAS Sensitivities, Depression, and Anxiety Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in China</p>

“…13 A recent meta-analysis found that BIS is a higher-order, shared factor for both depression and anxiety, whereas BAS is specific to depression. 14 In sum, extensive research has found that dysregulated BIS/BAS sensitivities play a critical roles in the development and maintenance of depression and anxiety. 15 However, to the best of our knowledge, relevant research is rarely conducted among older adults.…”

Reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation model

“…Second, we intended to analyze whether there would be significant differences based on reinforcement sensitivity measure. However, many studies (e.g., Gomez & Gomez, 2005;Harnett, Loxton, & Jackson, 2013) used more than one measure to assess reinforcement sensitivity. Owing to the dependency between measures' participant samples, subgroup analysis was inappropriate (Borenstein et al, 2009;H.…”

“…Indeed, it is possible that the relatively larger variances observed in the anxiety cluster reflect a real heterogeneity between the different anxiety disorders. Low positive affect, for example, has been found to be uniquely associated with social phobia (Naragon-Gainey et al, 2009;Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) and post-traumatic stress disorder (Nawijn et al, 2015), as compared to other anxiety disorders. This may reflect disorder-specific deficiencies of reward processing (Anderson & Hope, 2008).…”

“…Gray, 1982Gray, , 1987. BIS hypersensitivity is associated with increased apprehension in the face of impending negative outcomes and more intense reactivity to punishment, which are experiences salient to anxiety disorders (Carver & White, 1994;Corr & McNaughton, 2008;Hollon, 2019;Leen-Feldner, Zvolensky, Feldner, & Lejuez, 2004). Later investigations, however, have found BIS levels to predict depression to a large degree as well (Eshel & Roiser, 2010;Hundt et al, 2007;Johnson, Turner, & Iwata, 2003;Pekka Jylhä & Isometsä, 2006).…”

The dual-system theory of bipolar spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis

“…Gray & McNaughton, 2000). Dysregulated reinforcement sensitivity, on the other hand, is associated with a range of affective psychological disorders both crosssectionally and longitudinally (Bijttebier et al, 2009;Gonen et al, 2014;Johnson et al, 2003;Katz et al, 2020;Zald & Treadway, 2017;Zinbarg & Yoon, 2008). However, the role of reinforcement sensitivity in bipolar disorder is complicated by the fact that the two emotional poles of mania and depression are associated with opposing reinforcement sensitivity profiles.…”