Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: Effects of induced mood

The tripartite model of anxiety and depression (Clark & Watson, 1991) was tested. The model states that anxiety is associated with high negative affect (NA) and physiological arousal (PhA). The model also states that depression is associated with high NA and low positive affect (PA). The model does not specify the level of PA associated with anxiety, nor does it specify the level of PhA associated with depression. Induction of state anxiety and depression were employed to test the model. It was further predicted that no change in PA would be associated with anxiety and that no change in PhA would be associated with depression. Results indicated that state anxiety was associated with increased NA, decreased PA, and increased PhA. Likewise, state depression was associated with increased NA, decreased PA, and increased PhA. Implications for the tripartite model are discussed.