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How social rejection expectations and depressive symptoms bi‐directionally predict each other – A cross‐lagged panel analysis
Author(s) -
Kirchner Lukas,
Schummer Steffen Erik,
Krug Henning,
Kube Tobias,
Rief Winfried
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
psychology and psychotherapy: theory, research and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 1476-0835
DOI - 10.1111/papt.12383
Subject(s) - virtuous circle and vicious circle , psychology , interpersonal communication , depression (economics) , path analysis (statistics) , social support , interpersonal relationship , social rejection , depressive symptoms , structural equation modeling , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , cognition , social relation , social psychology , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , economics , macroeconomics
Background Although research suggests that social rejection expectations play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms, it is not clear whether such expectations are a risk factor for depression or rather a consequence thereof. The present study addressed this issue by investigating the time‐lagged bi‐directional effects of social rejection expectations and depressive symptoms. Methods In an online survey, participants ( N = 347) completed measures of social rejection expectations, depressive symptoms, interpersonal competencies, and perceived social support at baseline and 2 months later. The relationships between the variables were examined using path models and cross‐lagged path analyses. Results Cross‐lagged path analyses provided evidence for a substantial positive effect of social rejection expectations at baseline on depressive symptoms at follow‐up in addition to the reverse effect. A mediator analysis indicated that neither interpersonal competencies nor perceived social support mediated these bi‐directional effects. Conclusion The current results demonstrate that social rejection expectations and depressive symptoms bi‐directionally predict each other. Thus, social rejection expectations appears to be both a risk factor for – and a symptom of – depression. In order to prevent a vicious circle of social rejection expectations and depressive symptoms, we recommend the early detection and treatment of social rejection expectations. Moreover, social rejection expectations should be specifically addressed in cognitive‐behavioural treatment of depression.