NETWORK STRUCTURE OF INTERPERSONAL SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH MOOD DISORDERS: A NETWORK ANALYSIS

Abstract Background Interpersonal sensitivity, characterized by heightened awareness of others' behavior and emotions, is linked to mood disorder. However, a comprehensive analysis of how some items of Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) interrelate and contribute to the overall construct. Aims & Objectives We conducted a network analysis using IPSM items to comprehend interpersonal sensitivity in patients with mood disorders. The objectives were to 1) explore the network structure of interpersonal sensitivity in patients with mood disorders (MDD, bipolar I disorder [BD I], and bipolar II disorder [BD II]) and 2) identify the central symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity. Method IPSM, a 36-item self-report scale, was utilized to evaluate interpersonal sensitivity symptoms in 837 participants (MDD, n = 265; BD I, n = 126; and BD II, n = 446). We performed exploratory graph analysis, employing regularized partial correlation models to estimate the network structure. Centrality analysis identified core IPSM symptoms for each mood disorder group. Network comparison tests assessed structural differences between the MDD and BD subgroups. Results Network analysis detected five communities. Item 10 (“I worry about being criticized for things that I have said or done”) showed the highest value in strength. Multiple items on "negative self-image" and "anxiety related to social approval" showed high strength centrality. Network structure invariance and global strength invariance test results indicated no significant differences between the MDD and BD subgroups. Discussion & Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing "negative self-image" and "anxiety related to social approval" in the IPSM network among mood disorder patients based on core items of the network. Also, targeted treatments and comprehensive strategies in this aspect could be crucial for managing mood disorders.