Deconstructing Depression: A Latent Profile Analysis of Potential Depressive Subtypes in Emerging Adults

The aim of the current investigation was to explore potential subtypes of depressive symptomatology from a phenomenological vantage point, focusing on dimensions of spirituality, positive human functioning, and character strengths. The study examines distinct presentational depressive symptom profil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Spirituality in clinical practice (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2017-03, Vol.4 (1), p.1-21
Main Authors: Barton, Yakov A., Barkin, Samuel H., Miller, Lisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College Students
Counseling
Emerging Adulthood
Female
Human
Latent Profile Analysis
Male
Positive Psychology
Spirituality
Subtypes (Disorders)
Symptoms
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Summary:The aim of the current investigation was to explore potential subtypes of depressive symptomatology from a phenomenological vantage point, focusing on dimensions of spirituality, positive human functioning, and character strengths. The study examines distinct presentational depressive symptom profiles in light of recent research on developmental depression-defined as depressive symptomatology that may characterize periods of major spiritual development, life transition, existential upheaval, and personal growth. Unique homogeneous profiles are inductively derived using depressive symptomatology domains and examined across spiritual and positive psychological variables within a large heterogeneous sample of 3,806 emerging adults (ages 18-25, M = 20.0, SD = 1.9). The present investigation utilizes latent profile analysis (LPA) interpreted in light of the developmental depression hypothesis. The LPA model produced contains three depressive symptomatology clusters, including mood, somatic, and cognitive areas of depressive functioning. Average scores on spiritual, existential, positive psychological, and relational covariate variables are examined across profiles. Results suggest that distinct subtypes of depression may exist throughout emerging adulthood. An interpretation of these results that supports the developmental depression hypothesis is proposed.
ISSN:2326-4500
2326-4519
DOI:10.1037/scp0000126