Social inhibition sense of belonging and vulnerability to internalizing problems

Lisanne de Moor*, J. Denollet, O.M. Laceulle

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to provide a conceptual test of how social inhibition, sense of belonging and internalizing problems are related, and whether sense of belonging moderates or mediates the relation between social inhibition and internalizing problems.

Methods
Data were used from two waves of the Dutch internet cohort LISS (Longitudinal Internet Studies of the Social Sciences; N = 511, M age = 52.09 years). Social inhibition was measured using the DS14 in 2012, sense of belonging (i.e., feeling cut off and having people to really talk to) was measured with the General Social Exclusion Index in 2012 and internalizing problems with the MHI-5 in 2015.

Results
Social inhibition was related to a lower sense of belonging and more internalizing problems. A low sense of belonging was related to more internalizing problems. Results indicated no moderation. However, evidence was found for partial mediation. That is, feeling cut off and having people to really talk to explained part of the link between social inhibition and internalizing problems. All analyses were controlled for sex, age and income.

Limitations
The items used to measure sense of belonging only cover part of the construct. The study was not fully prospective, as such, no conclusions can be drawn regarding causality.

Conclusions
Low sense of belonging is a key factor to consider when aiming at understanding individual differences in internalizing psychopathology related to social inhibition.

Keywords: Social inhibition, Sense of belonging, Internalizing problems, Moderation, Mediation
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-213
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume225
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • ASSOCIATIONS
  • BEHAVIORAL-INHIBITION
  • CHILDHOOD
  • CORONARY-HEART-DISEASE
  • D PERSONALITY
  • DEPRESSION
  • DISORDER
  • Internalizing problems
  • Mediation
  • Moderation
  • POPULATION
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • SYMPTOMS
  • Sense of belonging
  • Social inhibition

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