Daniel Sibley | SUNY: Stony Brook University (original) (raw)

Papers by Daniel Sibley

Objective. This study examined how the personality traits of self-criticism and dependency modera... more Objective. This study examined how the personality traits of self-criticism and dependency moderated the effects of situational interpersonal cues on fear during interpersonal interactions among individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). We hypothesized that self-criticism would moderate the fear-inducing effects of situational self-consciousness and that dependency would moderate the fear-inducing effects of situational emotional insecurity. Methods. Forty SAD patients (M age = 29.23) and matched community controls (M age = 28.93) completed event-contingent record forms after each significant social interaction of over 5 min for a 20-day period. There were 20 female patients and 20 male patients in each group. Results. Event-level self-consciousness was more strongly associated with elevations in fear among socially anxious patients who reported higher levels of self-criticism, while event-level emotional security was more strongly associated with decreases in fear among SAD patients who reported higher levels of dependency. These interactions were not found in the community sample. Conclusions. Findings support the application of personality-vulnerability models to understanding fear during social interactions in patients with SAD. Results also have implications for psychotherapeutic treatments of SAD. Practitioner points Although social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients are on average more self-critical and dependent than community participants, some SAD patients are particularly self-critical, while others are particularly dependent. Highly self-critical SAD patients are more likely to feel fear during interpersonal situations when they feel self-conscious. Highly dependent SAD patients are more likely to feel fear during interpersonal interactions when they feel less emotionally secure. SAD patients were compared to a community sample, so we do not know if group differences are due to the presence of SAD or psychopathology in general.

This study examined whether the personality traits of self-criticism and dependency respectively ... more This study examined whether the personality traits of self-criticism and dependency respectively moderated the effects of perceived inferiority and emotional insecurity on negative affect during interpersonal interactions in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A sample of 38 patients with BPD and matched community comparison participants completed event-contingent record forms after each significant interaction for a 20-day period. Multilevel models showed that, controlling for baseline levels of depressive symptoms and neuroticism, as well as lagged negative affect, event-level elevations in perceived inferiority and emotional insecurity were related to more negative affect in both groups. Event-level perceived inferiority was more strongly associated with negative affect in patients with BPD who reported higher levels of self-criticism, while event-level perceived emotional insecurity was more strongly associated with negative affect in patients with BPD who reported higher levels of dependency. No significant interactions emerged for the comparison group. These findings further our understanding of differences among patients with BPD and support the application of personality vulnerability or diathesis-stress models in predicting negative affect in BPD. Results have implications for the design of therapies for patients with BPD.

Objectives. Numerous studies have shown that personality factors may increase or decrease individ... more Objectives. Numerous studies have shown that personality factors may increase or decrease individuals' vulnerability to depression, but little research has examined the role of peer relationships in the development of these factors. Accordingly, this study examined the role of recalled parenting and peer experiences in the development of self-criticism and self-reassurance. It was hypothesized that, controlling for recalled parenting behaviours, specific recalled experiences of peer relationships would be related to current levels of specific forms of self-criticism and self-reassurance. Design. Hypotheses were tested using a retrospective design in which participants were asked to recall experiences of parenting and peer relationships during early adolescence. This age was chosen as early adolescence has been shown to be a critical time for the development of vulnerability to depression. Methods. A total of 103 female and 97 male young adults completed measures of recalled parenting, overt and relational victimization and prosocial behaviour by peers, and current levels of self-criticism and self-reassurance. Results. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that parents and peers independently contributed to the development of self-criticism and self-reassurance. Specifically, controlling for parental care and control, overt victimization predicted self-hating self-criticism, relational victimization predicted inadequacy self-criticism, and prosocial behaviour predicted self-reassurance. As well, prosocial behaviour buffered the effect of overt victimization on self-reassurance. Conclusions. Findings highlight the importance of peers in the development of personality risk and resiliency factors for depression, and suggest avenues for interventions to prevent the development of depressive vulnerabilities in youth.

This study tested Belsky’s determinants of parenting, namely maternal characteristics, child char... more This study tested Belsky’s determinants of parenting, namely maternal characteristics, child characteristics, and contextual issues, namely the mother’s perception of the husband as a father, husband, and person. Three hundred and seventy-nine mothers first investigated by Sears, Maccoby, and Levin completed a standardised interview to assess their parenting attitudes and behaviours, as well as their five year-
old child’s (202 boys, 177 girls) behaviours. Rejecting mothers had lower
maternal self-esteem and higher academic expectations of their children, who showed less conscience and less similarity to the mother, and perceived their husbands as being colder towards the child. Furthermore, mothers with low selfesteem were more rejecting of girls with a difficult temperament, but less rejecting of boys with a difficult temperament. Controlling mothers were more educated and had higher academic expectations for their children, while their children were less
likely to dominate their relationship, but only in mothers with low maternal selfesteem. Results partially support Belsky’s model of the determinants of parenting.

According to Blatt (2004; Blatt & Luyten, 2009) and others (e.g., Beck, Epstein, Harrison, & Emer... more According to Blatt (2004; Blatt & Luyten, 2009) and others (e.g., Beck, Epstein, Harrison, & Emery, 1983), establishing positive self-definition and mature relatedness to others represent core lifespan developmental tasks. In a sample of emerging adults, this study examined the effects of the quality of one close friendship and changes in romantic relationship status on the development of maladaptive personality traits from each domain (self-criticism and neediness and connectedness), and the effects of changes in these personality factors on the development of depressive symptoms. Participants consisted of 82 (13 male) emerging adults (Mage ¼ 19.00, SD ¼ 0.75) and a single corresponding close friend. At baseline, participants and their friends completed measures of the quality of their relationship (i.e., acceptance and autonomy support). At baseline and again 12 months later, participants completed measures of self-criticism, neediness, connectedness, depressive symptoms, and current romantic relationship status. Adjusting for gender and baseline age, structural equation models showed that better friendship quality predicted decreases in self-criticism, which in turn predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms. Entering into a romantic relationship predicted increases in connectedness. Connectedness was unrelated to depression, although increases in neediness over time predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Results highlight the role of one close friend and changes in romantic relationship status in the development of self-definition and relatedness during emerging adulthood, and the role of those personality factors in the development of depression.

According to Blatt and others (e.g., A. T. Beck), self-definition, or one’s sense of self, and on... more According to Blatt and others (e.g., A. T. Beck), self-definition, or one’s sense of self, and one’s sense of relatedness to others represent core lifespan developmental tasks. This study examined the role of events pertaining to self-definition or relatedness in the development of personality traits from each domain (self-criticism and dependency), and their relationship to the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Two hundred seventy-six early adolescents completed a measure of self-criticism and dependency at baseline and again 24 months later, along with measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Every 3 months, participants completed a measure of life events, which were coded as self-definitional or relatedness oriented (80% rater agreement, kappa = .70). Structural equation models showed that self-definitional events predicted increases in self-criticism, which in turn predicted increases in depressive symptoms, whereas relatedness events
predicted increases in dependency, although dependency was unrelated to change in symptoms.

Higher levels of the personality traits of self-criticism and neediness and lower levels of conne... more Higher levels of the personality traits of self-criticism and neediness and lower levels of connectedness predict symptoms of psychopathology as well as interpersonal behaviors and outcomes. These personality characteristics may relate not only to mean levels of interpersonal behavior, but also to within-person variability in behavior. This study prospectively examined individual differences in the variability about the mean of individuals’ interpersonal behaviors (Flux), as well as individuals’ dispersion in the display of interpersonal behaviors (Spin) across events (Moskowitz & Zuroff, 2004). One hundred and thirteen adult community
members completed a 20-day event-contingent recording procedure
in which they recorded their interpersonal behaviors in the domains of dominance, submissiveness, agreeableness, and quarrelsomeness after interactions of over five minutes. Self-criticism, Neediness, and Connectedness were measured at baseline. Models adjusted for individuals’ mean levels of behavior as well as Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Agreeableness. Self-Criticism predicted more flux in agreeableness, dominance, and submissiveness and greater spin, whereas connectedness predicted lower levels of spin. Results clarify the maladaptive interpersonal behaviors of self-critical individuals and suggest that connectedness may be related to positive interpersonal outcomes because of more stable behavior in their interactions with others.

A sizeable body of research suggests that selfdefinition and relatedness represent two fundamenta... more A sizeable body of research suggests that selfdefinition
and relatedness represent two fundamental developmental streams across the lifespan (Blatt in Psychoanal Study Child 29:107–157, 1974; Blatt and Luyten in Dev Psychopathol 21:793–814, 2009). Adverse developmental experiences have been found to affect personality
development leading to high levels of self-criticism or dependency. No research to date has examined the developmental trends of these factors across the lifespan or the moderating impact of important life experiences. In a sample of 3,586 Canadians aged 18–59, age-related differences in self-criticism and dependency were examined. Analyses
were replicated in a multicultural sample of 612 Canadians and 647 individuals born and currently living on the continent of Asia. Controlling for both neuroticism and depressive symptoms, results showed that self-criticism and dependency decreased linearly across the lifespan in both samples and across cultures; however, the decrease in self-criticism
was steeper for men compared to women, while the decrease
in dependency was steeper for those without children compared
to those with children. Furthermore, participants who were in a romantic relationship showed lower levels of selfcriticism and higher levels of dependency compared to those who were not in a romantic relationship. Results suggest that people may develop a healthier view of close relationships with others and acquire more positive self-views over the
course of their lives.

Background. According to diathesis–stress models, personality traits, such as negative emotionali... more Background. According to diathesis–stress models, personality traits, such as negative emotionality (NE) and positive emotionality (PE), may moderate the effects of stressors on the development of depression. However, relatively little empirical research has directly examined whether NE and PE act as diatheses in the presence of stressful life events, and no research has examined whether they moderate the effect of disaster exposure on depressive symptoms. Hurricane Sandy, the second costliest hurricane in US history, offers a unique opportunity to address these gaps. Method. A total of 318 women completed measures of NE and PE 5 years prior to Hurricane Sandy. They were also assessed for lifetime depressive disorders on two occasions, the latter occurring an average of 1 year before the hurricane. Approximately 8 weeks after the disaster (mean = 8.40, S.D. = 1.48 weeks), participants completed a hurricane stress exposure questionnaire and a measure of current depressive symptoms. Results. Adjusting for lifetime history of depressive disorders, higher levels of stress from Hurricane Sandy predicted elevated levels of depressive symptoms, but only in participants with high levels of NE or low levels of PE. Conclusions. These findings support the role of personality in the development of depression and suggest that personality traits can be useful in identifying those most vulnerable to major stressors, including natural disasters.

Positive parenting has been related both to lower cortisol reactivity and more adaptive temperame... more Positive parenting has been related both to lower cortisol reactivity and more adaptive temperament traits in children, whereas elevated cortisol reactivity may be related to maladaptive temperament traits, such as higher negative emotionality (NE) and lower positive emotionality (PE). However, no studies have examined whether hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, as measured by cortisol reactivity, moderates the effect of the quality of the parent–child relationship on changes in temperament in early childhood. In this study, 126 3-year-olds were administered the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab-TAB; Goldsmith et al., 1995) as a measure of temperamental NE and PE. Salivary cortisol was collected from the child at 4 time points during this task. The primary parent and the child completed the Teaching Tasks battery (Egeland et al., 1995), from which the quality of the relationship was coded. At age 6, children completed the Lab-TAB again. From age 3 to 6, adjusting for age 3 PE or NE, a better quality relationship with their primary parent predicted decreases in NE for children with elevated cortisol reactivity and predicted increases in PE for children with low cortisol reactivity. Results have implications for our understanding of the interaction of biological stress systems and the parent–child relationship in the development of temperament in childhood.

According to diathesis-stress models, temperament traits such as negative emotionality (NE) may m... more According to diathesis-stress models, temperament traits such as negative emotionality (NE) may moderate the effects of stressors on the development of symptoms of psychopathology, although little research has tested such models in children. Moreover, there are few data on whether specific facets of NE (sadness, fear, or anger) may specifically moderate the effects of stress on depression versus anxiety. Finally, there is a paucity of research examining whether childhood temperament
moderates the effect of disaster exposure on depressive or anxiety symptoms. Hurricane Sandy, which affected many thousands of people in New York State and the surrounding regions in October 2012, offers a unique opportunity to address these gaps. Seven to eight years prior to Hurricane Sandy, 332 children 3 years old completed lab-based measures of NE and its facets. Six years later, when they were 9 years old, each mother rated her child’s depressive and anxiety symptoms. Approximately 8 weeks post-Sandy (an average of 1 year after the age 9 assessment), mothers again rated their child’s depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as a measure of exposure to stress from
Hurricane Sandy. Adjusting for symptom levels at age 9, higher levels of stress from Hurricane Sandy predicted elevated levels of depressive symptoms only in participants with high levels of temperamental sadness and predicted elevated levels of anxiety symptoms only in participants high in temperamental fearfulness. These findings support the role of early childhood temperament as a diathesis for psychopathology and highlight the importance of considering facets of temperament when examining their relationship to psychopathology.

This paper reviews theory and research on the developmental origins of several widely studied per... more This paper reviews theory and research on the developmental origins of several widely studied personality vulnerabilities to psychopathology that represent the self-definitional (self-criticism, autonomy, and perfec-tionism) or relatedness (dependency and sociotropy) domains identified in Blatt's (2008), Blatt and Schich-man's (1983), and Beck's (Beck et al., 1983) 2-polarities models of personality. We examine the evidence for the effects of both parenting and peer relationships. We conclude that there is a robust relationship between negative parenting behaviors and the 5 personality vulnerabilities reviewed here which pertain to both self-definition and relatedness, with recent evidence suggesting a possible effect of peer relationships over and above parents. The available evidence suggests that all of the negative developmental experiences studied to date contribute to the development of all the personality vulnerabilities reviewed here. In light of this, we suggest possible mechanisms through which adverse developmental experiences may affect personality factors pertaining to self-definition and relatedness. We also suggest that there may be commonalities across the developmental experiences, such that they result in similar developmental consequences. Although there is now much research on the development of these personality factors, there is still relatively little research examining the roles of factors other than parents and peers, including siblings, romantic partners, environmental changes, and genetics, and we conclude by proposing a revised model of the development of self-definition and relatedness in order to outline future directions for this research field.

Although much research has demonstrated a relationship between negative life events and depressiv... more Although much research has demonstrated a relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms, relatively little research has examined the mechanisms that may mediate this relationship. The theories of Blatt (1974), Bowlby (1980), and Gilbert (1992) each propose proximal predictors of depression. In accordance with these theories, this study examined the relationships among perceived losses in self-worth and interpersonal relationships, anaclitic (dependent) and introjective (self-critical) mood states, and depressive symptoms following a significant negative life event. A sample of 172 undergraduate students completed measures of depressive symptoms and depressive vulnerability factors and retrospectively described the worst period of their lives. They also rated the extent to which the events surrounding this worst period affected their self-worth and their relationships with close others. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the effect of a perceived loss of self-worth on depressive symptoms was fully mediated by both introjective and anaclitic mood states, whereas the effect of a perceived loss of interpersonal relationships on depressive symptoms was fully mediated by an anaclitic mood state. Additionally, perceived losses of self-worth showed a stronger effect on introjective mood in highly self-critical individuals. Findings highlight the importance of perceived losses in both self-worth and interpersonal domains in response to adverse life events and suggest pathways through which perceived losses may affect depressive symptoms.

Although cognitive theory gives automatic thoughts a causal role in the onset of negative mood an... more Although cognitive theory gives automatic thoughts a causal role in the onset of negative mood and depressive symptoms, little research has directly tested this relationship, and no research has examined whether automatic thoughts explain the effects of personality factors, life events, and positive mood on negative affect. Accordingly, automatic thoughts were prospectively tested as a mediator of the effects of personality vulnerability factors, positive affect, and hassles on mood.
Measures of self-criticism and dependency were administered at baseline, and measures of automatic thoughts, hassles, and positive and negative affect were administered once per week for 4 weeks to 102
college students. Automatic thoughts fully mediated the effects of self-criticism and partially mediated the effects of dependency and hassles on mood. Findings suggest that negative thoughts only partially account for the relationship among personality, hassles, and mood. Results also showed that the impact of positive affect on negative affect may be mediated by the presence or absence of automatic thoughts.

Little research has examined the effect of subtypes of social withdrawal on the development of ps... more Little research has examined the effect of subtypes of social withdrawal on the development of psy-chopathology across childhood. Parents of 493 children (220 females) completed a measure of their child's conflicted shyness and social disinterest as well as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) when their child was age 3, and again at age 6. When children were age 9, parents completed the CBCL. From 3 to 6, conflicted shyness predicted increases in anxiety symptoms in boys and girls, and predicted depressive symptoms in boys. From 6 to 9, social disinterest predicted increases in anxiety symptoms in girls and boys, and predicted increases in depressive symptoms in boys. In addition, in boys, conflicted shyness at age 6 predicted increases in externalizing symptoms at age 9. Conflicted shyness appears to be particularly problematic in early to middle childhood, while social dis-interest appears to be more maladaptive in later childhood, with some differences by gender.

Self-criticism has been shown to be a vulnerability factor that can lead to and maintain depressi... more Self-criticism has been shown to be a vulnerability factor that can lead to and maintain depression. We examined the moderating effect of fear of receiving compassion from others on the positive association between self-criticism and depression. Self-report measures were administered to four separate samples (total N = 701) varying in age (students and community adults) and cultural context (Canada, England, and Portugal). Two different measures of self-criticism and of depression were administered to investigate the generalizability of results. Self-criticism, depression, and fear of compassion from others were positively related to one another in all samples. As predicted, fear of compassion from others exerted a moderating effect on the relationship between self-criticism and depression. Low fear of compassion from others weakened the depressogenic effect of self-criticism, while high fear of compassion from others exacerbated the effect. Thus, a self-critic's ability to be open and responsive to care and support from others protected against depression. The aggregate moderating effect across the four studies was of medium size (d + = .53) and highly significant, indicating a robust phenomenon. Implications for working with self-critical depressed patients are discussed.

Dependency is a stable vulnerability factor for depression, and prior research has supported the ... more Dependency is a stable vulnerability factor for depression, and prior research has supported the role of parenting in its development. However, no research has examined the role of peer attachments in the
development of dependency. In this study we examined the relationship between recalled parenting and peer attachments and current levels of relatively adaptive and maladaptive forms of dependency, namely
connectedness and neediness. Two hundred young adults completed measures of recalled parenting, recalled peer attachments, and current levels of Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Connectedness, and Neediness.
Hierarchical regression analyses controlling for Neuroticism and Agreeableness showed that although higher levels of Connectedness and lower levels of Neediness were related to more recalled
maternal care, they also were related to better quality recalled peer attachments, over and above the effects of parenting. Furthermore, recalled peer attachments interacted with recalled parenting such that
peer attachments were more strongly related to Connectedness when maternal care was low and to Neediness when maternal control was low. Findings suggest the importance of peer attachment in the development of personality risk factors for depression.

Considerable research exists documenting the relationship between maternal mood disorders, primar... more Considerable research exists documenting the relationship between maternal mood disorders, primarily major depressive disorder (MDD), and a variety of negative child outcomes. By contrast, research exploring the reverse pathway whereby child traits are associated with later maternal mood disorders is much more limited. We examined whether young children's temperament and psychopathology predicted maternal mood disorders approximately 6 years later. Child temperament and symptoms were assessed at age three using semi-structured diagnostic interviews and parent-report inventories. Maternal psychopathology was assessed with semi-structured interviews when children were 3 and 9 years old. Mothers also reported on their marital satisfaction when children were 3 and 6 years old. Child temperamental negative affectivity (NA), depressive symptoms, and externalizing behavior problems significantly predicted maternal mood disorders over and above prior maternal mood, anxiety, and substance disorders. The link between children's early externaliz-ing symptoms and maternal mood disorders 6 years later was mediated by maternal marital satisfaction 3 years after the initial assessment. These findings suggest that early child temperament and psychopathology contribute to risk for later maternal mood disorders both directly and through their impact on the marital system. Research indicates that effective treatment of maternal depression is associated with positive outcomes for children; however, this study suggests that treating early child problems may mitigate the risk of later maternal psychopathology.

Although the transition to menopause represents a period of risk for depressive symptoms, there i... more Although the transition to menopause represents a period of risk for depressive symptoms, there is little research into personality or trait-like factors that may confer vulnerability to depression during the transition to menopause. This study investigated whether the personality trait of self-criticism moderated the effects of irritability on depressive symptoms in women transitioning to menopause and whether these effects were mediated by lower levels of emotional regulation. Participants were 376 women, of whom 157 had entered the transition phase to menopause. These women in the transition phase completed measures of self-criticism, irritable mood, emotional regulation, and depressive symptoms. All analyses controlled for attitudes toward menopause and somatic symptoms. Moderated mediation regression analyses showed that higher levels of irritability were associated with poorer emotional regulation in highly self-critical women , but not in less self-critical women, and poorer emotional regulation was, in turn, related to higher levels depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that the transition to menopause may represent an especially vulnerable period for women with high levels of self-criticism. Although irritability is transitory for most women, for women who are highly self-critical, irritability may tax their ability to self-regulate and lead to more encompassing symptoms of depression.

Personality & social psychology bulletin, Jan 19, 2015

According to Blatt and others (e.g., A. T. Beck), self-definition, or one's sense of self, an... more According to Blatt and others (e.g., A. T. Beck), self-definition, or one's sense of self, and one's sense of relatedness to others represent core lifespan developmental tasks. This study examined the role of events pertaining to self-definition or relatedness in the development of personality traits from each domain (self-criticism and dependency), and their relationship to the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Two hundred seventy-six early adolescents completed a measure of self-criticism and dependency at baseline and again 24 months later, along with measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Every 3 months, participants completed a measure of life events, which were coded as self-definitional or relatedness oriented (80% rater agreement, kappa = .70). Structural equation models showed that self-definitional events predicted increases in self-criticism, which in turn predicted increases in depressive symptoms, whereas relatedness events predicted increase...

Personality & social psychology bulletin, Jan 19, 2015