Daily reports of symptoms and negative affect: Not all symptoms are the same

Authors: Charles, Susan T.¹; Almeida, David M.²

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 21, Number 1, Number 1/February 2006 , pp. 1-17(17)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The interplay between state negative affect (SNA) and somatic symptoms is well-established in daily life, but the nature of the association is unclear. Questions remain regarding the role, if any, that SNA plays apart from trait negative affect (TNA), the direction of the association, and whether the relationship with SNA varies according to symptom type. Associations between three constellations of somatic symptoms and SNA were examined in adults ( N ?=?781) queried on eight consecutive evenings. Inter- and intra-individual variation in temporal and concurrent associations were examined, with models including both state and trait negative affect. All symptoms were related to concurrent measures of SNA. Lagged associations varied by symptom type. No lagged analyses including respiratory symptoms were significant. Prior pain symptoms predicted SNA, and prior SNA predicted pain and gastrointestinal symptoms. TNA, however, mediated the association between prior pain symptoms and SNA.

Keywords: State negative affect; trait negative affect; somatic symptoms

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14768320500129239

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine 2: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 135 E. Nittany Ave Suite 405, State College, PA 16801

Publication date: 2006-02-01