Open AccessCan low Behavioral Activation System predict depressive mood?: An application of non‐normal structural equation modeling
Author(s) -
TAKAHASHI YUSUKE,
OZAKI KOKEN,
ROBERTS BRENT W.,
ANDO JUKO
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
japanese psychological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1468-5884
pISSN - 0021-5368
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-5884.2011.00492.x
Subject(s) - structural equation modeling , mood , depressive mood , path analysis (statistics) , correlation , psychology , behavioral activation , depressive symptoms , path (computing) , clinical psychology , major depressive disorder , developmental psychology , psychiatry , mathematics , statistics , computer science , cognition , geometry , programming language
Abstract Previous studies have reported a negative correlation between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and the depressive mood. However, which is the cause and which is the effect cannot be determined simply by evaluating the correlation coefficients. In a series of this study, we used non‐normal structural equation modeling, which could provide a statistically plausible answer to the question on the path direction. We tested for the path direction between the variables of interest by statistically comparing all possible models. The models assuming a unidirectional path from the BAS to the depressive mood were consistently supported. This suggested that low BAS could be a predisposition to developing the depressive mood. These findings could enhance our understanding of the mechanism underlying the development of the depressive mood.