A Transdiagnostic Perspective on Social Anhedonia

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Social anhedonia is a core feature of schizophrenia and schizotypal personality.
• It is increasingly recognized across diverse psychological disorders, including depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
• Limited research exists on social anhedonia's variations across diagnostic boundaries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a selective review of social anhedonia across various psychological and life course contexts.
• To examine similarities and differences in social anhedonia expression.
• To explore developmental and neurobiological factors influencing social anhedonia.

Main Methods:

• Selective literature review.
• Synthesis of evidence on social anhedonia in psychosis continuum, depressive disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
• Consideration of developmental and neurobiological factors.

Main Results:

• Social anhedonia manifests differently across disorders, affecting anticipation, enjoyment, and learning of social rewards.
• Some components of social reward processing remain intact in certain groups.
• Consistent findings include diminished pleasure, social withdrawal, and poorer functioning, yet loneliness persists, indicating an unmet need for social connection.

Conclusions:

• Social anhedonia's expression and underlying mechanisms differ across psychological disorders.
• Methodological diversity and lack of direct comparisons hinder a nuanced understanding.
• Adolescence is a critical period for understanding developmental origins.
• Further research on wanting, liking, and learning components of social reward is needed.
• Understanding social anhedonia is crucial for developing targeted interventions for mental health recovery.