Decentering Attenuates the Associations of Negative Affect and Positive Affect With Psychopathology
Abstract
Theory on decentering—an observer perspective on one’s ongoing internal experiences—suggests that decentering may be a protective factor against extreme affective states in predicting psychopathology. The current studies were the first to empirically test this, using multiple measures of decentering to capture two distinct components. Across three student samples and two clinical samples, we investigated whether trait decentering moderated the relationship of negative affect and positive affect with a variety of internalizing symptoms, as well as with narcissism, mania, and anhedonia. Greater decentering attenuated the associations of negative affect with dysphoria and panic symptoms, in both cross-sectional (Study 1) and ecological momentary assessment (Study 2) designs. Exploratory analyses in a single sample revealed that positive affect interacted with decentering to predict anhedonia and narcissism symptoms. Implications are discussed for understanding the effects of decentering on psychopathology and refining interventions, as well as the conceptualization and assessment of decentering.
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Cross-sectional studies indicate that the positive association between psychological stressors and distress is lessened as decentering-related abilities increase.
“Second, cross-sectional studies indicate that the positive association between psychological stressors and distress is lessened as decentering-related abilities increase.”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [67]
In young adults (~19 years), the positive association between unpleasant feelings and depression severity grows weaker as self-rated decentering increases, and increased decentering dampens the positive association between unpleasant feelings and anxiety severity.
“For example, one study indicated that the positive association between unpleasant feelings and depression severity grew weaker as self-rated decentering increased (~19 years)67.”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [67]
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- Authors
- Naragon-Gainey, K., & DeMarree, K. G.
- Affiliations
- University at Buffalo
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
- ORCID
- DeMarree, Kenneth G.
- Venue
- Clinical Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2017-08-11
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1027-1047
- ISSN
- 2167-7026 (ISSN-L)
- 2167-7034
- OpenAlex
- W2743822686
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 75
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 3.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- decentering, negative affect, positive affect, psychopathology, internalizing problems, narcissism, mania, anhedonia, dysphoria, panic symptoms, protective factors, ecological momentary assessment
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