An affective space view on depression and anxiety

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Affective Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The circumplex model of core affect is a prominent emotion framework.
• Empirical support exists for core affect, but its link to depression and anxiety measurement is unexplored.
• Existing models often treat depression and anxiety as discrete entities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the compatibility of Russell's continuous core affect model with discrete views of depression and anxiety.
• To compare a core affect-based model with traditional factor models for depression and anxiety.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (N=763) anxiety and depression short forms.
• Employed a 15-item, 5-point Likert scale, with expert-rated distress and arousal.
• Compared a core affect theory approach with conventional factor models separating depression and anxiety.

Main Results:

• The core affect theory-based model demonstrated a comparable goodness of fit to conventional models.
• This suggests a continuous, rather than discrete, dimensional structure for depression and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Depression and anxiety can be effectively understood within Russell's bipolar core affect model.
• The core affect-based model accommodates symptoms in the spaces between valence and arousal dimensions.
• This provides a more integrated framework for understanding emotional disorders.