Behavioral theory of depression: Reinforcement as a mediating variable between avoidance and depression

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Abstract

Behavioral theory posits that certain environmental changes and avoidant behaviors inhibit individuals from experiencing environmental reward and reinforcement and subsequently leads to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms. Using self-report and behavioral (daily diary) indices of environmental reward as proxy measures for positive reinforcement, this investigation examined whether environmental reward mediated the relationship between avoidance and depression. When controlling for anxiety, both indices of environmental reward significantly mediated the relationships of depression with cognitive, behavioral and total avoidance. Post-hoc mediation analyses were conducted to examine potential gender differences. Self-reported environmental reward significantly mediated the relationship between avoidance and depression across both genders. Among females, however, daily diary-measured reward only mediated the relation between cognitive avoidance and depression. In males daily diary reward was a mediator with all three forms of avoidance and depression. This investigation provides initial support for reinforcement as a significant mediator between avoidance and depression and further highlights the relevance of avoidance and reinforcement in behavioral conceptualizations of depression.

Research highlights

► Behavioral theory posits that certain environmental changes and avoidant behaviors inhibit individuals from experiencing environmental reward and reinforcement and subsequently leads to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms. ► This investigation examined whether environmental reward mediated the relationship between avoidance and depression. ► When controlling for anxiety, both indices of environmental reward (self-report, daily diary) significantly mediated the relationships of depression with cognitive, behavioral and total avoidance. ► Post-hoc mediation analyses indicated self-reported environmental reward significantly mediated the relationship between avoidance and depression across both genders. ► In females, daily diary-measured reward only mediated the relation between cognitive avoidance and depression. ► In males daily diary reward was a mediator with all three forms of avoidance and depression.

Section snippets

Participants

The sample included 158 male and female undergraduate psychology students recruited from the University of Tennessee. Students who were at least 18-years-old were eligible to participate to earn credit. There were no exclusion criteria aside from age. The sample consisted of 61 males (38.6%) and 97 females (61.4%), with a mean age of 19.1 years (SD = 2.0 years). Ethnic distribution was as follows: 123 Caucasians (77.8%), 18 African Americans (11.4%), 7 Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (4.4%),

Descriptive statistics

Descriptive statistics are presented in Table 1. One-way ANOVAs indicated no significant differences between males and females in age [F(1, 157) = .07, p = .80, η2 = .00], CBAS Total Avoidance [F(1, 157) = 1.00, p = .32, η2 = .01], CBAS Cognitive Avoidance [F(1, 157) = .42, p = .52, η2 = .00], CBAS Behavioral Avoidance [F(1, 157) = 1.51, p = .22, η2 = .01], RPI Total [F(1, 157) = 2.29, p = .13, η2 = .01], RPI Reward Probability [F(1, 157) = 1.11, p = .29, η2 = .01], RPI Environmental

Discussion

According to behavioral conceptualizations of depression, depressive symptoms arise when positive reinforcement (RCPR) for healthy behaviors decreases (Lewinsohn, 1974, Manos et al., 2010, Martell et al., 2001). Some theorists propose that limiting contact with external or internal sources of distress through avoidant behavioral and cognitive coping strategies removes individuals from rewarding reinforcement contingencies, thus increasing the likelihood that depressive symptoms may develop and

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      Consistent with behavioral theory, SUDs have been associated with a lack of reinforcement for alternative, healthy behaviors (Carroll, 1996; Vuchinich & Tucker, 1988). Both depression and SUDs are associated with health and social problems and these may increase the frequency of negative experiences and reduce the availability of alternative sources of reward, leading to the repetition of maladaptive (e.g. addictive, avoidance) behaviors, as well as increases in depressive symptoms (Carvalho & Hopko, 2011). The focus of BA treatment for SUD patients with depressive symptomatology is therefore to increase engagement in healthy, positively reinforcing activities and decrease maladaptive behaviors, to address depression symptoms and substance use simultaneously (Daughters et al., 2016).

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