Human approach-avoidance conflict behaviour relates to transdiagnostic psychiatric symptom dimensions

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Approach-avoidance conflict (AAC) is a key model for studying anxiety disorders and anxiolytic drug effects.
• Cautiousness in AAC tasks is often considered a stable trait but shows weak correlations with self-reported anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between psychiatric symptom dimensions and AAC behavior.
• To explore which specific psychopathological factors, beyond anxiety, are associated with AAC task performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a cross-sectional, data-driven approach across two large online samples (N=315, N=690).
• Participants completed a validated AAC task and a comprehensive psychiatric questionnaire battery.
• Analyzed associations between behavioral readouts and a known three-factor structure of psychopathology.

Main Results:

• A broad psychopathology factor, linked to impulsivity and OCD symptoms, showed the strongest association with AAC behavior.
• Higher scores on this factor correlated with decreased passive avoidance, increased behavioral inhibition, and reduced threat sensitivity.
• No significant associations were found between AAC behavior and transdiagnostic anxiety-depression or gender.

Conclusions:

• Cautiousness in AAC tasks comprises independent components associated with transdiagnostic psychopathology, not solely trait anxiety.
• Findings underscore the complex interplay between behavioral predispositions and broad psychopathological dimensions.
• The study challenges the direct link between cautiousness in AAC tasks and self-reported anxiety, suggesting a more nuanced understanding is needed.