Extension of the hierarchical model of anxiety and depression to the personality domain
Research on the empirical structure of distress (mood and anxiety) disorders has
yielded many valuable insights. These efforts have culminated in the integrative
hierarchical model (Mineka, Watson,
Clark, 1998), which specified general, specific,
and unique components of distress disorders. However, some components have not yet
been identified, and the model cannot account for temporal relations among the
syndromes. Clark, Watson, and Mineka (1994) suggested that personality traits may help
us fill these gaps.
Accordingly, I proposed a hierarchical-vulnerability model of distress disorders,
which posits that psychiatric syndromes are products of interactions between personality
traits and environmental stressors. This model is patterned after the integrative
hierarchical model, as it specifies various levels of generality among personalitypsychopathology
links. The aim of this study was to develop the personality component
of the model by identifying traits relevant to four target syndromes: major depression,
panic disorder, social phobia, and OCD. Building on previous research, I hypothesized
several trait contributors for each of the disorders.
I administered an extensive personality battery and an interview measure of the
target syndromes to two samples: 385 undergraduates and 188 psychiatric patients. First,
I evaluated the associations among the personality measures. Next, I tested study
hypotheses using correlational and multiple regression analyses. I also examined the
robustness of results across samples.
The results confirmed the central role of negative emotionality as the shared trait
vulnerability. I also identified two specific trait contributors (linked to two disorders
each), and seven unique contributors. Notably, all unique associations involved either
depression or social anxiety. The model was able to explain roughly half of variance in
these two syndromes but only approximately a quarter of the variance in panic and OCD.
On the other hand, the traits consistently accounted for 75% of the covariance among the
In sum, the hierarchical-vulnerability model offers a useful approach to
conceptualizing personality-psychopathology relations. However, the stress component
of the model is yet to be developed. Furthermore, the present findings need to be
replicated in new samples and evaluated in longitudinal studies. Finally, the model needs
to be extended to include other disorders and traits.
Abstract Approved: ____________________________________
Title and Department
School:University of Iowa
School Location:USA - Iowa
Source Type:Master's Thesis
Keywords:distress psychology depression mental anxiety personality multilevel models statistics
Date of Publication: