29th Annual Student Research Conference
Do Anger and Aggression Mediate Relations Between Depression and Impairment?
Roberto Renteria
Dr. Jeffrey Vittengl, Faculty Mentor
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined by depressive symptoms that last at least two weeks and produce distress or impair functioning. Similarly, social conflicts and impaired social functioning can be predicted by anger and aggression. The current study hypothesized that anger and aggression account for relations between depression and impairment. Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) which examined the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of psychiatric disorders. Correlations among depression, impairment, and anger/aggression were small but statistically significant within and between interview waves. However, the hypothesis that anger/aggression accounts for relations between depression and impairment was not supported. Depression, anger/aggression, and impairment are interrelated in a large, representative sample of US adults. However, anger/aggression did not account for relations between depression and impairment. Further clinical research might focus on impairment outcomes in anger-oriented treatment compared to depression-oriented treatment.
Keywords: depression, anger & aggression, social impairment, clinical psychology
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 11-4
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30