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Published on: February 22, 2018
The role of autonomy-connectedness in depression and anxiety
Marrie H J Bekker1, Ursula Belt
1Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Gender and Health, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. m.h.j.bekker@uvt.nl
Abstract:
The relationship between autonomy-connectedness, and depression and anxiety was investigated in 94 primary mental health care patients and 95 psychology students. All participants completed the Autonomy-Connectedness Scale-30 (ACS-30), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Results indicated that the primary mental health care group compared with the control group scored lower in Self-Awareness and Capacity for Managing New Situations, and higher in Sensitivity to Others. Women compared with men had higher levels of self-reported Sensitivity to Others. Regression analyses showed that both (low) Self-Awareness and (high) Sensitivity to Others predicted depression, as well as anxiety; also, (low) educational level had predictive value. These results indicate that low autonomy-connectedness might be a risk factor for depression and anxiety.
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