Journal article

Asymmetry in the Association Between Depression Subtypes and Health-Related Outcomes

JE McKeough, CF Sharpley, V Bitsika, KA Vessey, RJ Williams, GL Odierna, ID Evans

Symmetry | MDPI AG | Published : 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the association between four depression subtypes and health-related symptoms. Although it was expected that there would be asymmetry across the associations between depression subtypes and health, that relationship had not been previously reported. Data on the core diagnostic symptoms of depression and four depression subtypes, plus health-related outcomes, were collected from a sample of 301 community participants who completed standardised self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that Somatic Depression and Depressed Mood were most consistently associated with poorer outcomes across physical, emotional, and social domains, while Cognitive Depression and Anhe..

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University of Melbourne Researchers