Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem in Current, Remitted, Recovered, and Comorbid Depression and Anxiety Disorders: The...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Dual processing models differentiate explicit self-esteem (ESE) and implicit self-esteem (ISE).
• Low ESE and ISE are hypothesized in major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders (AD).
• Previous research on ISE as a potential "scar" in MDD/AD is inconclusive, with some studies suggesting high ISE/low ESE predicts internalizing symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of ISE and discrepant self-esteem in MDD and AD.
• To address limitations of previous studies, including small sample sizes and poorly defined groups.
• To examine self-esteem differences across various phases of MDD and AD, including current, remitted, and recovered states.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).
• Included participants with current MDD, AD, comorbid MDD/AD, remitted MDD, AD, comorbid MDD/AD, recovered MDD, AD, and never-disordered controls.
• Measured ISE using the Implicit Association Test and ESE using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Main Results:

• Controls exhibited higher ESE than all clinical groups.
• Current comorbid MDD/AD showed lower ESE than other clinical groups.
• ISE was significantly lower than controls only in current comorbid AD/MDD.
• Discrepant self-esteem was not significantly associated with disorder status after controlling for ESE.

Conclusions:

• Explicit self-esteem (ESE) is prominently implicated in MDD and AD.
• Comorbid MDD/AD is characterized by both explicit and implicit negative self-evaluations.
• No evidence supports the hypothesis that MDD and AD leave a lasting "scar" of low implicit self-esteem (ISE).