Abstract
Background: The transdiagnostic and network model approaches to psychopathology have emerged as an alternative to taxonomic systems. The main goal was to examine the network structure of the transdiagnostic dimensions of emotional disorders in adolescents with subclinical emotional symptoms. In addition, cross-sectional network analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between transdiagnostic dimensions and socio-emotional adjustment.
Method: The sample consisted of a total of 476 adolescents from 85 schools from different provinces in Spain with subthreshold anxiety and depression. The mean age was 13.77 years (SD = 1.43, range 10 to 18 years), 73.9% were female. Several questionnaires assessing transdiagnostic dimensions of emotional disorders, mental health difficulties, self-esteem, perceived social support, feeling of belonging at school, and prosocial behavior were used.
Results: A strong interrelation was found between the transdiagnostic variables, except with the positive temperament dimension. The dimensions with the greatest weight were those of traumatic reexperiencing, intrusive cognitions, avoidance, neuroticism, and depressed mood. Negative relationships were found between the transdiagnostic variables and the protective factors included in the study. Stability analyses indicated that the networks where accurately estimated.
Conclusion: The present paper points to the value of conceptualizing emotional disorders from a transdiagnostic and network model perspective. In addition, the work provides new insights into the nature of the relationships between transdiagnostic dimensions of emotional disorders, and the role played by risk and protective factors.