THE ROLE OF HUMOR AND DEPRESSION IN RESPONSES TO SOCIAL COMMENTS

This study investigated how individuals respond to four different styles of social comments that were presented either with or without humor, or humorously by a depressed acquaintance. Using a brief scenario format, 264 participants completed questionnaires measuring their responses to these comments, as well as their own levels of depression, social interaction anxiety, and self-esteem. Results showed humor led to a higher willingness to interact in the future, and had other facilitative positive effects that were specific to each style of comments. Identifying the presenter as depressed hindered some of these facilitative effects of humor, had detrimental effects for self-defeating humorous comments; and had facilitative effects for affiliative humorous comments. Finally, the role of recipients’ level of psychological well-being was minimal. Overall, these findings provide some support for the facilitative effects of humor on interpersonal interactions, and suggest certain characteristics of the presenter (i.e., depression level) may alter these effects

PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT MEDIATES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOM CHANGES FOLLOWING PRIMARY CARE INTERVENTION

BACKGROUND: The current study tested whether perceived social support serves as a mediator of anxiety and depressive symptom change following evidence-based anxiety treatment in the primary care setting. Gender, age, and race were tested as moderators. METHODS: Data were obtained from 1004 adult patients (age M=43, SD=13; 71% female; 56% White, 20% Hispanic, 12% Black) who participated in a randomized effectiveness trial (CALM Study) comparing evidence-based intervention (cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or psychopharmacology) to usual care in the primary care setting. Patients were assessed with a battery of questionnaires at baseline, as well as at 6-, 12-, and 18-months following baseline. Measures utilized in the mediation analyses included the Abbreviated Medical Outcomes (MOS) Social Support Survey, the Brief Symptom Index (BSI) – Somatic and Anxiety subscales, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: There was a mediating effect over time of perceived social support on symptom change following treatment, with stronger effects for 18-month depression than anxiety. None of the mediating pathways were moderated by gender, age, or race. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived social support may be central to anxiety and depressive symptom changes over time with evidence-based intervention in the primary care setting. These findings possibly have important implications for development of anxiety interventions