Mediational Deficiency: A Review of the Evidence
The concept of mediational deficiency has become increasingly important in the study of psychological well-being and psychopathology. This article provides an overview of the concept of mediational deficiency, the evidence to support its existence, and implications for future research.
Definition
Mediational deficiency (MD) refers to the lack of resources or skills necessary to effectively regulate emotions, behavior, and thought. It is a concept that has been used to explain the etiology of psychopathology and has been linked to maladaptive outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues (Vassilopoulou, Korboullidou, & Karydi, 2019). MD is thought to be associated with deficits in the ability to self-regulate emotions, behavior, and thought, and to be a result of inadequate development of emotion regulation strategies (Dalrymple, 2007). MD is typically measured through self-report questionnaires, which assess the individual’s ability to use cognitive and behavioral strategies to regulate emotions (Vassilopoulou et al., 2019).
Evidence
Several studies have found evidence for the existence of MD. For example, a study by Vassilopoulou et al. (2019) found that MD was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety in a sample of university students. Similarly, a study by Dalrymple (2007) found that MD was predictive of depression symptoms in a sample of adolescents. Further, a study by Gómez-Conesa, Núñez-Cortés, and Pérez-Fuentes (2020) found that MD was predictive of social anxiety in a sample of adults. These findings suggest that MD is a valid concept and is associated with various negative outcomes across different age groups.
Implications
The evidence for MD has important implications for research and practice. First, MD should be considered in the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders, particularly in the assessment of emotion regulation. Second, research should focus on identifying the causes and mechanisms of MD, in order to develop more effective interventions. Third, interventions should be designed to target MD in order to improve psychological well-being and reduce the risk of developing psychopathology.
Conclusion
The concept of mediational deficiency has been increasingly receiving attention in the field of psychology. The evidence suggests that MD is associated with maladaptive outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, and should be considered in the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders. Further research should focus on identifying the causes of MD and developing interventions to target MD in order to improve psychological well-being.
References
Dalrymple, K. (2007). The mediational deficiency model: A concept for understanding adolescent depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 27(8), 967-983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2007.03.003
Gómez-Conesa, A., Núñez-Cortés, J.L., & Pérez-Fuentes, M.C. (2020). Mediational deficiency in social anxiety disorder: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 20(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2019.09.003
Vassilopoulou, K., Korboullidou, A., & Karydi, A. (2019). Mediational deficiency and its relationship with depression and anxiety among university students. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1614706