Dysphoria and Vulnerability to Subsequent Life Events

Abstract

Two prospective studies examined whether high levels of dysphoria placed persons at risk for experiencing certain types of negative events and vulnerability to increased dysphoria in response to life events. In both samples, more dysphoric persons reported more negative events in the domains of academics, finances, health, and relationship problems. However, they were not more likely to report unwanted termination of relationships, sexual events, or events experienced by close friends or relatives. Further, dysphoric persons continued to report more negative events even when analyses were restricted to events that were consensually negative. In instances in which persons reported experiencing the same type of event, more dysphoric persons were not more likely to rate these events as negative. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that dysphoric persons are at greater risk for the actual occurrence of negative events. Nonetheless, the relation between negative events and increases in dysphoria remained when initial symptoms were controlled statistically. There was some evidence that dysphoric persons were more likely to experience worsening of symptoms in response to negative and neutral events, as well as improvement of symptoms following positive events. However, these results were not robust across samples. Results were discussed in terms of implications for understanding the reciprocal relation between dysphoria and life events.