Causal and mediating factors for anxiety, depression and well-being. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinderman, Peter; Tai, Sara; Pontin, Eleanor; Schwannauer, Matthias; Jarman, Ian; Lisboa, Paulo
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 206:Number 6(2015)
• Page Start: 456
• Page End: 460
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The relationship between well-being and mental ill health is complex; people may experience very low levels of well-being even in the absence of overt mental health problems. Aims: This study tested the hypothesis that anxiety, depression and well-being have different causal determinants and psychological mediating mechanisms. Method: The influence of causal and mediating factors on anxiety, depression and well-being were investigated in a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey hosted on a UK national broadcasting website. Results: Multivariate conditional independence analysis of data from 27 397 participants revealed different association pathways for the two constructs. Anxiety and depression were associated with negative life events mediated by rumination; low levels of subjective well-being were associated with material deprivation and social isolation, mediated by adaptive coping style. Conclusions: Our findings support the 'two continua' model of the relationship between psychological well-being and mental health problems, with implications for both treatment and prevention.