Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults

Abstract Background Individuals with high levels of negative affect (NA) are at an increased risk of experiencing distress and negative self-views. Theoretical models suggest that NA plays a critical role in psychopathology, particularly in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and is linked to cognitive...

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Main Authors: Catalina Cañizares, Yvonne Gómez-Maquet, Eugenio Ferro, Carlos Arturo Torres, Diana María Agudelo, Gabriel Odom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Psychology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02245-z
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author Catalina Cañizares
Yvonne Gómez-Maquet
Eugenio Ferro
Carlos Arturo Torres
Diana María Agudelo
Gabriel Odom
author_facet Catalina Cañizares
Yvonne Gómez-Maquet
Eugenio Ferro
Carlos Arturo Torres
Diana María Agudelo
Gabriel Odom
author_sort Catalina Cañizares
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Individuals with high levels of negative affect (NA) are at an increased risk of experiencing distress and negative self-views. Theoretical models suggest that NA plays a critical role in psychopathology, particularly in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and is linked to cognitive-perceptual and affective regulation issues. Objective Determine whether maladaptive cognitive schemas, attributional style, childhood adversity, and lifestyle factors (including alcohol and drug use and physical activity) could effectively predict negative affect (NA) in adults. Methods A secondary data analysis was performed on a sample of 342 depressed and non-depressed adults. Beta regression and regression tree analyses were conducted to identify the principal risk factors and their interactions. The regression tree model was trained with 5-fold cross-validation on 75% of the sample, with 25% of observations held for testing. Results The findings revealed that the cognitive schemas of disconnection and rejection and impaired autonomy had a significant impact on the likelihood of higher scores on the State Depression Inventory (IDER) test (p < 0.001), as indicated by both beta regression and regression tree analyses. Additionally, childhood adversity emerged as a crucial factor in determining high levels of NA. The regression tree model achieved strong performance metrics, including an R-squared value of 0.77. Conclusions This study represents a significant step forward in the understanding of NA, as it considers a broad range of individual factors, such as cognitive schemas, lifestyle, and demographics, to predict its impact on NA, with potential implications for prevention programs aimed at reducing NA.
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spelling doaj-art-d8fc08227eff4325ab6709dbf1c184202025-02-02T12:48:17ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-02-0113111110.1186/s40359-024-02245-zUsing tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adultsCatalina Cañizares0Yvonne Gómez-Maquet1Eugenio Ferro2Carlos Arturo Torres3Diana María Agudelo4Gabriel Odom5Florida International UniversityUniversidad de los AndesInstituto Colombiano del Sistema Nervioso Clínica MontserratUniversidad de los AndesUniversidad de los AndesFlorida International UniversityAbstract Background Individuals with high levels of negative affect (NA) are at an increased risk of experiencing distress and negative self-views. Theoretical models suggest that NA plays a critical role in psychopathology, particularly in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and is linked to cognitive-perceptual and affective regulation issues. Objective Determine whether maladaptive cognitive schemas, attributional style, childhood adversity, and lifestyle factors (including alcohol and drug use and physical activity) could effectively predict negative affect (NA) in adults. Methods A secondary data analysis was performed on a sample of 342 depressed and non-depressed adults. Beta regression and regression tree analyses were conducted to identify the principal risk factors and their interactions. The regression tree model was trained with 5-fold cross-validation on 75% of the sample, with 25% of observations held for testing. Results The findings revealed that the cognitive schemas of disconnection and rejection and impaired autonomy had a significant impact on the likelihood of higher scores on the State Depression Inventory (IDER) test (p < 0.001), as indicated by both beta regression and regression tree analyses. Additionally, childhood adversity emerged as a crucial factor in determining high levels of NA. The regression tree model achieved strong performance metrics, including an R-squared value of 0.77. Conclusions This study represents a significant step forward in the understanding of NA, as it considers a broad range of individual factors, such as cognitive schemas, lifestyle, and demographics, to predict its impact on NA, with potential implications for prevention programs aimed at reducing NA.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02245-zNegative affectAdultsTree-based methodsDepressionCognitive Schemas
spellingShingle Catalina Cañizares
Yvonne Gómez-Maquet
Eugenio Ferro
Carlos Arturo Torres
Diana María Agudelo
Gabriel Odom
Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
BMC Psychology
Negative affect
Adults
Tree-based methods
Depression
Cognitive Schemas
title Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
title_full Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
title_fullStr Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
title_full_unstemmed Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
title_short Using tree-based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
title_sort using tree based models to identify factors contributing to trait negative affect in adults
topic Negative affect
Adults
Tree-based methods
Depression
Cognitive Schemas
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02245-z
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