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Social Motivation Differentiates Social Anxiety and Depression: A Daily Diary Study
Ruba Rum1, Jessica A Birg1, Gabriella Silva1
1University of South Florida.
Behavior Therapy
|June 27, 2024
Summary
Social anxiety and depression uniquely increase negative emotions. Social anxiety boosts desire to approach others, while depression reduces approach and increases withdrawal, potentially distinguishing these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Social anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, complicating the differentiation of their emotional and motivational impacts.
- Understanding the daily interplay of these conditions is crucial for effective clinical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between daily social anxiety and depression symptoms.
- To determine independent links between daily symptoms and affect (positive and negative) and social motivation (approach/withdrawal).
Main Methods:
- A 14-day daily diary study involving 269 community-dwelling adults.
- Within-person analyses of 2,986 daily surveys assessing social anxiety, depression, affect, and social motivation.
Main Results:
- Both social anxiety and depression uniquely increased negative affect.
- Depression uniquely decreased positive affect.
- Social anxiety increased desire to approach others, while depression decreased approach and increased withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- Daily social motivation patterns may differentiate social anxiety from depression.
- Clinicians can use daily social motivation assessments to distinguish between social anxiety and depression-related difficulties.
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