An integrative analysis of potential mechanisms of reduced positive affect in daily life in depression: an ESM study.

Decreased levels of positive affect (PA) are a hallmark of depression. Current models propose as potential main mechanisms a dysfunctional use of emotion regulation (ER) strategies (i.e. dampening, positive rumination), and a maladaptive activation of pro-hedonic goals. However, the role of these mechanisms in PA in daily life remains understudied. We used a 10-day ESM design to assess how these mechanisms influence each other and contribute to depressive symptomatology-related low momentary PA in 139 individuals. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with lower PA, pro-hedonic goals, more frequent use of positive rumination, and higher use of dampening. Further, experiencing higher levels of PA predicted lower following time point use of dampening in individuals with higher symptoms. Finally, using positive rumination was more beneficial (i.e. predicted higher PA increases one moment later) for individuals with higher symptomatology. Our findings suggest that moment-to-moment changes in PA daily life are affected by, and have an effect on, both pro-hedonic goals and the use of dampening and positive rumination, highlighting specific cognitive-affective mechanisms that should be considered when designing interventions aimed at improving low PA characterising depression symptomatology.

Difficulties in Pregnancy Adjustment as Predictors of Perinatal Depression: Indirect Effects through the Role of Brooding Rumination and Maternal-Fetal Bonding.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to study the ways in which problems of adaptation to pregnancy influence the development of symptoms of perinatal depression via the presence of brooding and low maternal-fetal bonding, in addition to other risk factors previously established in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Representative sample of pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation (N = 594) completed an online survey that included sociodemographic data and measures of perinatal depression, adjustment to pregnancy, bonding, and brooding. Other risk factors were also assessed as covariates, such as previous history of depression, generalized anxiety, perceived social support, and experience of stressful life events. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed on the scores obtained by the subjects with the different instruments. A path model was formulated to establish the pathways through which adjustment influences perinatal depression symptomatology. On the one hand, the presence of brooding (worst adjustment to pregnancy → high brooding → perinatal depression symptomatology), and on the other hand, the quality of maternal-fetal bonding (worst adjustment to pregnancy → poor quality fetal-maternal bonding → perinatal depression symptomatology) would act as a mediator. RESULTS: The factors proposed by the literature were predictive of perinatal depressive symptomatology and the quality of adjustment to pregnancy. Problems adjusting to changes during pregnancy and experiencing it unsatisfactorily may predict individual differences in perinatal depressive symptoms. Significantly, this relationship was mediated by two key factors, the presence of brooding and low quality of the maternal-fetal bond. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence in favor of the existence of multiple paths through which difficulties in adapting to pregnancy can favor the occurrence of higher levels of perinatal depressive symptoms and identify new avenues for developing research in this area and preventive interventions empirically informed.