A cross-lagged prospective network analysis of depression and anxiety and cognitive functioning components in midlife community adult women
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Background Scar theory proposes that heightened depression and anxiety precede and predict worse cognitive functioning outcomes, whereas the vulnerability theory posits the opposite pathway. However, most investigations on this topic have been cross-sectional, precluding causal inferences. Thus, we used cross-lagged prospective network analyses to facilitate causal inferences in understanding the relations between psychopathology and cognitive functioning components. Methods Racially-diverse midlife women ( n = 1816) participated in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation at two time-points, spanning one year apart. Five psychopathology (anxiety severity, depressed mood, somatic symptoms, positive affect, interpersonal problems) and four cognitive functioning nodes (working memory (WM), processing speed (PS), facial recognition (FCR), and verbal memory (VRM)) were assessed. All analyses adjusted for age, menopausal status, estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormones. Results Contemporaneous networks yielded notable inverse between-node relations ( edges ) between interpersonal problems and reduced FCR and PS, and between depressed mood and lower FCR, VRM, or PS. Nodes that had the highest likelihood to bridge other constructs were positive affect, anxiety severity, WM, and VRM. Temporal networks produced edges consistent with the scar ( v . vulnerability) hypotheses. Higher somatic symptoms were related to reduced PS and WM, and greater depressed mood was correlated with lower future PS and WM. Also, higher anxiety severity coincided with decreased future PS and WM. Greater positive affect was associated with stronger future PS, FCR, and WM. Also, positive affect had the strongest relations with other nodes. Conclusions Findings suggest the importance of targeting symptoms and cognitive functioning simultaneously.
Source: Psychological Medicine
Authors: Nur Hani Zainal, Michelle G. Newman
Institution: Pennsylvania State University
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,255
Awards: G1078949291, G1104801629, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) V: UCLA Site, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) V: Chicago site, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN): New Jersey, G2056435877, G3106732973, G3185656352, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) V: Coordinating Center, G3654623655, The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN): The Impact of Midlife and the Menopause Transition on Health and Functioning in Early Old Age, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) V: Central Laboratory, G5299499115, G5421556210, G6665133860, G6802717753, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN V): Michigan Site, STUDY OF WOMEN'S HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION (SWAN) V: UC DAVIS/KAISER, G7183445854, Harnessing Mobile Technology to Reduce Mental Health Disorders in College Populations, G8012083396, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation(SWAN) V: Pittsburgh, Study of Women's Health Across the Nation - V
OpenAlex ID: W4229440293