Social Insecurity, Anxiety, and Stressful Events as Antecedents of Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

This study examined the combined effects on 132 normal adults of social insecurity, anxiety symptoms, and daily hassles on changes in the level of depressive symptoms over a 1-month period. It was hypothesized that social insecurity, a factor linked to coronary heart disease and sympathetic arousal, is also an important antecedent of depression for those who have experienced a high level of anxiety and chronic stress. Results of multiple regression analysis indicate that these three factors in combination (a 3-way interaction) predict changes in depressive symptoms. The nature of this interaction was more complex than hypothesized.

Index Terms:

• social insecurity
• anxiety
• daily hassles
• depression