A complex network approach to clinical science

Hofmann, S.; Curtiss, Joshua

doi:10.1111/eci.12986

Cited by 33 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…For example, the feedback loops emphasized in cognitive behavioral theories of psychopathology have been rigorously investigated in cybernetics and dynamical systems theory (Scheffer, 2009). Illustrating the value of this work, Wittenborn et al (2016) used the ‘causal loop diagrams’ of dynamical systems theory to generate a conceptual model of depression as a dynamical system and dynamical systems concepts such as alternative stable states and critical slowing have already begun to be applied to psychopathology (Hayes et al, 2015; Hofmann & Curtiss, 2018; Nelson et al, 2017; Rikkert et al, 2016). Indeed, there is research examining mental disorders as dynamical systems that predates (e.g.…”

Section: Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The network approach to psychopathology: a review of the literature 2008–2018 and an agenda for future research

et al. 2019

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The network approach to psychopathology posits that mental disorders can be conceptualized and studied as causal systems of mutually reinforcing symptoms. This approach, first posited in 2008, has grown substantially over the past decade and is now a full-fledged area of psychiatric research. In this article, we provide an overview and critical analysis of 363 articles produced in the first decade of this research program, with a focus on key theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions. In addition, we turn our attention to the next decade of the network approach and propose critical avenues for future research in each of these domains. We argue that this program of research will be best served by working toward two overarching aims: (a) the identification of robust empirical phenomena and (b) the development of formal theories that can explain those phenomena. We recommend specific steps forward within this broad framework and argue that these steps are necessary if the network approach is to develop into a progressive program of research capable of producing a cumulative body of knowledge about how specific mental disorders operate as causal systems.

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Section: Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The network approach to psychopathology: a review of the literature 2008–2018 and an agenda for future research

et al. 2019

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“…In these models, symptoms are conceptualized as being interdependent and jointly forming a psychopathological mental condition instead of assuming an underlying latent disease or disorder that explains the presence of a number of independent symptoms. 15,19,20 Thus, the network of associations among the symptoms constitutes the syndromes and not the other way around. 15 From a clinical point of view, this perspective…”

Section: A C C E P T E Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Complex Interplay of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Pain

Penedo

Rubel

Blättler

et al. 2019

The Clinical Journal of Pain

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Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the associations among depressive/anxiety and pain symptoms in patients diagnosed with chronic pain. Methods: Four hundred and fifty-four inpatients who were consecutively admitted in a multimodal 3-weeks treatment in a tertiary psychosomatic university clinic completed 25 items from the Brief Pain Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and after treatment termination.Associations among symptoms were explored by network analyses using the graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to estimate their partial correlations, while Extended Bayesian Information Criterion was used to select the best network solution for the data. We explored symptoms' centrality and expected influence within the network as well as the minimum spanning tree for the network. Results: Besides expected associations within depressive/anxiety and pain symptoms, the estimated network showed several local associations between depressive and pain interference symptoms. The lacks of being cheerful and of laughing are two of the depressive symptoms that showed the greatest associations with pain interference and a strong centrality within the network. Sleep problems were both associated with anxiety/depressive symptoms and pain intensity symptoms. Although at posttreatment, most of the symptoms showed a significant decrease, the strength of the associations between the symptoms within the network were significantly higher than at baseline. Discussion: The results support focusing psychosocial interventions in chronic pain treatment not only on reducing pain, anxiety and sleep symptoms but also on enhancing positive affect. Future research is needed to replicate these findings using repeated withinperson measures designs.

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“…Over the past two years, the network approach has been increasingly used to understand mental disorders as systems of interacting symptoms (Hofmann & Curtiss, 2018; Hofmann, Curtiss, & McNally, 2016; McNally, 2016). According to this approach, each depressive symptom is not reflective of a “depressive disorder” but possesses independent causal powers that influence other symptoms (e.g., insomnia causes fatigue); symptoms are not merely passive indicators of an underlying disease (Borsboom & Cramer, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention Bias Modification in Remitted Depression Is Associated With Increased Interest and Leads to Reduced Adverse Impact of Anxiety Symptoms and Negative Cognition

Kraft

Jonassen

Heeren

et al. 2019

Clinical Psychological Science

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Using a computational network approach, we reanalyzed data from a randomized controlled trial of attention bias modification (ABM) tasks on residual depression symptoms. The main aim was to characterize the symptom-to-symptom changes following ABM. ABM was associated with improvements in interest, which was in turn associated with improvements in other depression symptoms. Although there were no changes in the global network strength following ABM, the comparison with symptom change in the ABM and control group suggests that ABM leads to a reduction of the association between anxiety, depressed mood, and guilt. Findings suggest that reduction in depression symptoms following ABM may have been set in motion by increased interest and involvement in everyday activities, leading to a reduction of the adverse impact of anxiety and negative cognition. ABM may be more effective in patients in whom these symptoms are prominent.

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A complex network approach to clinical science

Cited by 33 publications

References 37 publications

The network approach to psychopathology: a review of the literature 2008–2018 and an agenda for future research

The network approach to psychopathology: a review of the literature 2008–2018 and an agenda for future research

The Complex Interplay of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Pain

Attention Bias Modification in Remitted Depression Is Associated With Increased Interest and Leads to Reduced Adverse Impact of Anxiety Symptoms and Negative Cognition

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