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The Interaction Between Self-Regulation Deficits and Negative Problem Orientation Exacerbates Depressive, but not ADHD Symptoms

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Abstract

Self-regulation (SR) and negative problem orientation (NPO) have well-established, independent connections to psychopathology. Despite theoretical overlap and past empirical work suggestive of a connection between SR and NPO, their relationship has yet to be investigated. This study is the first to examine the potential interactive influence of these constructs on two differing forms of psychopathology: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive symptoms. Undergraduate students aged 18–24 completed the Self-Regulation Questionnaire, Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised, and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. As expected, SR and NPO were found to be inversely related to each other and independently predictive of ADHD and depressive symptoms. Interestingly, their interaction differentially impacted the two assessed symptom sets. Individuals who had both lower SR and higher NPO reported the highest levels of depressive symptoms, above and beyond the effect of either construct independently. Further, the impact of each construct on depressive symptoms depended on levels of the other construct. In contrast, the interaction between SR and NPO did not significantly affect ADHD symptoms. Lower SR and higher NPO were associated with higher levels of ADHD symptoms regardless of each other. These findings help to characterize the interactive influences of SR and NPO on psychopathology and highlight the need for continued investigation.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maine, 301 Beryl Warner Williams Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Michelle L. Buffie & Douglas W. Nangle

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  1. Michelle L. Buffie
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  2. Douglas W. Nangle
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Contributions

Both authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analyses were performed by MLB and supervised by DWN. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MLB; DWN commented on and revised all subsequent versions of the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Michelle L. Buffie.

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Informed consent for the study included information stating that data would only be published in aggregate form and that no participant would be individually identifiable.

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The research study described in this manuscript was approved by the University of Maine Institutional Review Board on 3/12/2018.

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Buffie, M.L., Nangle, D.W. The Interaction Between Self-Regulation Deficits and Negative Problem Orientation Exacerbates Depressive, but not ADHD Symptoms. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 40, 647–662 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-021-00432-0

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