Age differences in depression and anxiety symptoms: a structural equation modelling analysis of data from a general population sample

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. CHRISTENSEN ◽  
A. F. JORM ◽  
A. J. MACKINNON ◽  
A. E. KORTEN ◽  
P. A. JACOMB ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Differential Probability ◽  
Equation Modelling

Background. There is debate as to whether the elderly are really at lower risk for depressive disorders, or whether endorsement of symptoms is artefactually low. The present paper assesses the effects of age on anxiety and depression, and examines whether age has direct effects on self-report of individual symptoms independent of its effect on the underlying dimensions of anxiety and depression.Methods. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the structure of the items and their associations with age and a number of demographic variables. The sample of 2622 participants aged between 18 and 79 years from Canberra (Australia) was drawn from the Electoral Roll. Two instruments were used: the anxiety and depression scales of Goldberg et al. (1988) and the Personal Disturbance Scale from the DSSI of Bedford et al. (1976).Results. Both scales were found to fit satisfactorily to a two factor model. Age correlated negatively with depression. After controlling for the effects of gender, marital status, education and financial difficulty, direct effects of age were found on items from both instruments, indicating that certain depression items were associated with a differential probability of endorsement in older people, even when the level of depression was equal to that of younger people. Items with direct age effects reflected physical (feeling slowed down; waking early) and psychological (hopeless about the future) components of depression. Direct effects of age on items from both anxiety scales were also found.Conclusions. The nature of the depression and anxiety experienced by younger and older people may differ qualitatively. Depression may be associated with an increase in somatic symptoms linked to physical changes and to an increase in endorsement of items which reflect the narrowing of opportunities in the long-term.

Examining the roles of metacognitive beliefs and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism in depression and anxiety

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-453
Author(s):  
Lee Kannis-Dymand ◽  
Emily Hughes ◽  
Kate Mulgrew ◽  
Janet D. Carter ◽  
Steven Love
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Repetitive Negative Thinking ◽  
Common Component ◽  
Negative Thinking ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Metacognitive Beliefs ◽  
Partial Correlations

AbstractBackground:Metacognition and perfectionism are factors found to be associated with both anxiety and depression. A common component that underlies these factors is the influence of perseverance, or the tendency to continue a behaviour or thought even if it is no longer productive.Aims:This study aimed to investigate the relationships between metacognitive beliefs with maladaptive aspects of perfectionism (i.e. perseverance behaviours), and their relation to anxiety and depression.Method:Participants (n = 1033) completed six self-report questionnaires measuring metacognitive beliefs about rumination and worry, perseverance, anxiety and depression. Data were analysed using correlational testing, and structural equation modelling.Results:Results of structural equation modelling revealed that positive metacognitive beliefs about repetitive negative thinking increased the likelihood to perceive the thinking as uncontrollable, and that perseverance behaviours were predicted by all metacognitive beliefs. Furthermore, examination of partial correlations revealed that both negative metacognitive beliefs about repetitive negative thinking and perseverance behaviours predicted anxiety and depression; however, negative metacognitive beliefs were the strongest predictor, in both cases.Conclusions:The results provided support for current metacognitive models, in that the interpretation of cognitive perseveration sequentially influences psychopathology, but also provided insight into the inclusion of perseveration behaviours. Furthermore, the findings may also have value in a clinical setting, as targeting metacognitive beliefs in the presence of perseverance type behaviours may prove beneficial for treatment.

scholarly journals Attentional and Emotional Mechanisms of Pain Processing and Their Related Factors: A Structural Equations Approach

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Huber ◽  
Miriam Kunz ◽  
Cordula Artelt ◽  
Stefan Lautenbacher
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Pain Processing ◽  
Cortisol Reactivity ◽  
Equation Modelling

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: It is known that maladaptive attentional and emotional mechanisms of pain processing – as indicated by constructs such as pain hypervigilance, pain-related anxiety and pain catastrophizing – play an important role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain conditions. However, little is known to date about the potential risk factors for these forms of maladaptive processing. The aim of the present study was to shed more light on this issue. A very comprehensive set of predictor variables was examined in healthy pain-free subjects.METHOD: Participants were 92 young and healthy subjects (mean [± SD] age 26.99±6.90 years; 47 men, 45 women). Maladaptive attentional and emotional mechanisms of pain processing were assessed by self-report measures of pain hypervigilance, pain-related anxiety and pain catastrophizing, as well as by a dot-probe task. The comprehensive set of predictor variables included measures of affective and bodily distress (depression, anxiety and somatization), experimental pain sensitivity, and cortisol reactivity. Directed relationships were estimated by using structural equation modelling.RESULTS: Structural equation modelling revealed a significant path from affective and bodily distress to self-reported maladaptive attentional and emotional pain processing. In contrast, the paths from pain sensitivity and cortisol reactivity did not reach the level of significance.CONCLUSION: These results support the position that anxiety and depression, as well as somatization, contribute to the aberrance of attentional and emotional mechanisms of pain processing. Surprisingly, the assumption of a close relationship between these maladaptive mechanisms of pain processing and pain sensitivity could not be confirmed.

Understanding employee knowledge: the development of an organizational memory scale

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Dunham ◽  
Christopher Burt
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Organizational Memory ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Purpose – The aim of this study is to develop a psychometrically sound self-report scale of organizational memory. The scale is planned for use in future research to test the relationship between what employees know and their attitudes to passing on their knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 72 organizational memory scale items representing six hypothesised dimensions of organizational memory were developed and tested with 143 participants using exploratory factor analysis. The resulting five-factor model was tested with a further sample of 288 employees using structural equation modelling, and the test-retest reliability was examined. Findings – Five factors of the organizational memory scale were identified. These were: socio-political knowledge, job knowledge, external network, history, and industry knowledge. The dimensions correlated with tenure variables often used as proxies for experience. Structural equation modelling confirmed the five-factor model and the scale achieved adequate test-retest reliability. Research limitations/implications – The five organizational memory factors are not an exhaustive list. While the scale enables employees to evaluate their own organizational memory, it may not necessarily be an accurate indicator of their knowledge. Practical implications – The scale can be used as a knowledge audit instrument for examining attitudes to mentoring and knowledge sharing, as well as for auditing knowledge that may potentially be lost when experienced employees leave organizations. Originality/value – The scale is a valid and reliable self-report measure of organizational memory. It is an innovative tool for examining employee attitudes to knowledge sharing initiatives. The scale also recognises the contribution made to organizational memory by those with industry knowledge outside the organization.

How young and older people differ in discriminatory behaviour towards older people? An explanation of the knowledge–attitude–behaviour continuum model

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 1996-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
SOONDOOL CHUNG ◽  
HYUNJU PARK
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Multi Stage

ABSTRACTThis study examined the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people and further explored age-group differences using multi-group analysis. Data were collected from 1,500 Korean adults aged 20 and older in 2011 using the multi-stage quota sampling method. Trained investigators collected data with a developed survey questionnaire in person and a structural equation modelling method was used for data analysis. Attitudes towards older people was measured using two variables: ‘image of older people’ and ‘prejudice against older people’. The findings revealed that the younger and older generations demonstrated differences regarding the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people. The paths model between independent and dependent variables in the structural equation modelling was non-equivalent in younger and older groups. For both groups, knowledge about ageing and older people led to a positive influence on their image of and prejudice against older people. The effect of prejudice on discriminatory behaviour was significant in the younger group, but not in the older group. Further implications for practice and future research to reduce ageism were discussed.

Coping: a genetic epidemiological investigation

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth S. Kendler ◽  
Ronald C. Kessler ◽  
Andrew C. Heath ◽  
Michael C. Neale ◽  
Lindon J. Eaves
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Coping Behaviour ◽  
Twin Resemblance

SYNOPSISThis study examines data on self-report coping behaviour, life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a general population sample of 827 female twin pairs. Factor analysis identified three almost uncorrelated coping factors: turning to others; problem solving; and denial. Turning to others and problem solving were negatively and denial was positively related to levels of anxiety and depression. Turning to others and problem solving buffered the depressogenic and anxiogenic effects of stressful life events, while denial exacerbated the anxiogenic effects of life events. Structural equation model-fitting indicated that twin resemblance in turning to others and problem solving could be explained entirely by genetic factors with an estimated heritability of 30 and 31%, respectively. For denial, twin resemblance could be best explained by familial–environmental factors accounting for 19% of the total variation. Genes may affect the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders in part by influencing coping behaviour.

Do little annoyances relate to bullying? The links between personality, attitudes towards classroom incivility, and bullying

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Spadafora ◽  
Jan C. Frijters ◽  
Danielle S. Molnar ◽  
Anthony A. Volk
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Personality Correlates ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Classroom Incivility

AbstractCivility relates to following rules that typically are aimed at promoting positive social behaviour. A lack of civility can be either intentional (e.g., insulting a classmate) or unintentional (e.g., packing up early). Civility is an important issue within classroom settings because it not only influences classroom functioning, but may also serve as a gateway to more serious antisocial behaviour. With regard to the latter, we were specifically interested in whether attitudes towards behaviour deemed as ‘incivility’ were associated with more serious bullying behaviour. Beyond any associations with each other, we were also interested in whether incivil attitudes and bullying share common personality correlates among adolescents. To answer these questions, our study examined the links between HEXACO personality traits, intentional and unintentional incivility, and bullying. Adolescents (n = 396) completed self-report questionnaires, and results were analysed with structural equation modelling. There were similarities and differences between the personality correlates of bullying and attitudes towards the two kinds of incivility. In particular, we found a significant association between personality and bullying behaviour that was mediated by attitudes towards intentional incivility. Our results highlight the importance of increasing awareness of educators regarding classroom incivility, given its potential negative implications within a school setting.

scholarly journals Insight, self-stigma and psychosocial outcomes in Schizophrenia: a structural equation modelling approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-J. Lien ◽  
H.-A. Chang ◽  
Y.-C. Kao ◽  
N.-S. Tzeng ◽  
C.-W. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Subjective Quality Of Life ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Equation Modelling

Aims.Poor insight is prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and has been associated with acute illness severity, medication non-adherence and poor treatment outcomes. Paradoxically, high insight has been associated with various undesirable outcomes, including low self-esteem, depression and low subjective quality of life (QoL) in patients with schizophrenia. Despite the growing body of studies conducted in Western countries supporting the pernicious effects of improved insight in psychosis, which bases on the level of self-stigma, the effects are unclear in non-Western societies. The current study examined the role of self-stigma in the relationship between insight and psychosocial outcomes in a Chinese population.Methods.A total of 170 outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were recruited from two general university hospitals. Sociodemographic data and clinical variables were recorded and self-report scales were employed to measure self-stigma, depression, insight, self-esteem and subjective QoL. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the cross-sectional data.Results.High levels of self-stigma were reported by 39% of the participants (n = 67). The influences of insight, self-stigma, self-esteem and depression on subjective QoL were confirmed by the SEM results. Our model with the closest fit to the data (χ2 = 33.28; df = 20; p = 0.03; χ2/df = 1.66; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.06) demonstrated that self-stigma might fully mediate the association of insight with low self-esteem, depression and poor subjective QoL. High insight into illness contributed to self-stigma, which caused low self-esteem and depression and, consequently, low QoL. Notably, insight did not directly affect self-esteem, depression or QoL. Furthermore, the association of insight with poor psychosocial outcomes was not moderated by self-stigma.Conclusions.Our findings support the mediating model of insight relevant to the poor psychosocial outcomes of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in non-Western societies, in which self-stigma plays a pivotal role. These findings elucidate the direct and indirect effects of insight on psychosocial outcomes and imply that identifying and correcting self-stigma in people with schizophrenia could be beneficial. Additional studies are required to identify whether several other neurocognitive or psychosocial variables mediate or moderate the association of insight with self-esteem, depression and QoL in patients with schizophrenia. Studies with detailed longitudinal assessments are necessary to confirm our findings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document