TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating a Comprehensive Model of Euthymia
AU - Vittengl, Jeffrey R.
AU - Jarrett, Robin B.
AU - Ro, Eunyoe
AU - Clark, Lee Anna
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
PY - 2023/5/1
Y1 - 2023/5/1
N2 - Introduction: In research and treatment of mood disorders, "euthymia"traditionally denotes the absence of clinically significant mood disturbance. A newer, expanded definition of euthymia also includes positive affect and psychological well-being. Objective: We aimed to test this comprehensive model of euthymia and estimate the coherence and predictive power of each factor in the model. Methods: Community-dwelling adults (N = 601), including both mental health outpatients and non-patients at high risk for personality pathology, completed a battery of interviews and questionnaires at time 1. Most (n = 497) were reassessed on average 8 months later (time 2). We modeled euthymia using standard mood, personality, and psychosocial functioning assessments rather than measures designed specifically for euthymia. Results: The hypothesized model of euthymia was supported by confirmatory factor analysis: specific measures loaded on three lower order factors (mood disturbance, positive affect, and psychological well-being) that reflected general euthymia at time 1. Each factor (general euthymia plus lower order factors) demonstrated moderately strong concurrent (time 1) and predictive (time 1-2) correlations with outcomes, including employment status, income, mental health treatment consumption, and disability. Compared to positive affect and psychological well-being, mood disturbance had stronger incremental (i.e., nonoverlapping) relations with these outcomes. Conclusions: Support for a comprehensive model of euthymia reinforces efforts to improve assessment and treatment of mood and other disorders. Beyond dampening of psychological distress, euthymia-informed treatment goals encompass full recovery, including enjoyment and meaning in life.
AB - Introduction: In research and treatment of mood disorders, "euthymia"traditionally denotes the absence of clinically significant mood disturbance. A newer, expanded definition of euthymia also includes positive affect and psychological well-being. Objective: We aimed to test this comprehensive model of euthymia and estimate the coherence and predictive power of each factor in the model. Methods: Community-dwelling adults (N = 601), including both mental health outpatients and non-patients at high risk for personality pathology, completed a battery of interviews and questionnaires at time 1. Most (n = 497) were reassessed on average 8 months later (time 2). We modeled euthymia using standard mood, personality, and psychosocial functioning assessments rather than measures designed specifically for euthymia. Results: The hypothesized model of euthymia was supported by confirmatory factor analysis: specific measures loaded on three lower order factors (mood disturbance, positive affect, and psychological well-being) that reflected general euthymia at time 1. Each factor (general euthymia plus lower order factors) demonstrated moderately strong concurrent (time 1) and predictive (time 1-2) correlations with outcomes, including employment status, income, mental health treatment consumption, and disability. Compared to positive affect and psychological well-being, mood disturbance had stronger incremental (i.e., nonoverlapping) relations with these outcomes. Conclusions: Support for a comprehensive model of euthymia reinforces efforts to improve assessment and treatment of mood and other disorders. Beyond dampening of psychological distress, euthymia-informed treatment goals encompass full recovery, including enjoyment and meaning in life.
KW - Depression
KW - Euthymia
KW - Positive affect
KW - Quality of life
KW - Well-being
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U2 - 10.1159/000529784
DO - 10.1159/000529784
M3 - Article
C2 - 36917971
AN - SCOPUS:85152139486
SN - 0033-3190
VL - 92
SP - 133
EP - 138
JO - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
JF - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
IS - 2
ER -