The Role of Positive and Negative Aspects of Life Events in Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms

Negative or stressful life events are robust risk factors for depression and anxiety. Less attention has been paid to positive aspects of events and whether positivity buffers the impact of negative aspects of events. The present study examined positivity and negativity of interpersonal and non-interpersonal episodic life events in predicting anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of 373 young adults. Regressions tested main and interactive effects of positivity and negativity ratings of events in predicting symptom factors (Fears, Anhedonia-Apprehension (AA), General Distress (GD)) relevant to anxiety and depression. A significant interaction demonstrated that positivity protected against high levels of negativity of non-interpersonal events in predicting GD. A main effect of interpersonal negativity predicting higher AA was observed. Results for Fears were non-significant. Findings suggest that positivity of life events may buffer against negativity in predicting symptoms shared between anxiety and depression.