(PS10-D85) Overly Negative Life Event Expectations Predict Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms During the COVID Pandemic

Introduction:

Depressive and anxiety symptoms showed a considerable increase amid the COVID pandemic. Previous research suggests both negative expectations and the experience of stressors contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Yet, research has yet to evaluate both the role of expectations and stressors in the context of the COVID pandemic. In this study, we assessed the relation between the estimated likelihood and experience of negative and positive events related to the COVID pandemic and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Methods:

A sample of 1,200 U.S. adults completed seven assessments across 4.5 months beginning in April 2020. Symptoms were assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale – 7. Participants were asked to predict the likelihood (0-100%) of 33 life events happening to them within the upcoming assessment interval and, at a subsequent assessment, whether these events occurred. Factors underlying expectations were identified using exploratory factor analysis. Repeated measures regression models (with six observations per person) examined each factor as a predictor of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Results:

Four factors were identified (excluding four items due to inadequate loading). Three factors consisted of negative COVID related experiences: (1) Negative health experiences (13 items; e.g., test positive for COVID), (2) Challenges to finances/resources (7 items; e.g., experience a reduction in pay), and (3) Social difficulties (5 items; e.g., provide childcare or education due to services being unavailable) domains. One factor consisted of positive experiences (4 items; e.g., spend more time doing enjoyable hobbies). Results indicated that higher expectations for experiencing negative COVID related life events (i.e., health, finances/resources, social) predicted greater subsequent depressive symptoms, controlling for the reported occurrence of negative life events. Higher expectations for negative health and finance/resources, but not social, events significantly predicted greater subsequent anxiety symptoms, controlling for reported occurrence. Higher expectations for positive events significantly predicted lower anxiety symptoms but not depression, controlling for reported occurrence.

Discussion:

This study found evidence that negative life event predictions may contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms above and beyond the impact of negative life experiences. These findings highlight how models of stress and cognition for emotional disorders apply in the context of pandemic challenges. Implications for psychological treatments are discussed.