Psychological network systems (PNS)
MPI-54 2025-26
On systems
Interconnected elements operate in unison according to a set of rules,
fulfilling a specific function from which
a unified whole is observable.
PNS Conceptualization
Axioms
1 - Formative elements are interconnected either directly or through a shared element
2 - There is causal relationship among the formative elements
3 - Emergent system as a whole or specific elements are influenced by exogenous factors
Re-thinking depression
Change in approach from Depression is the common cause of observed symptoms to
Specific symptoms are activated due to internal or external factors and remain activated and influence each-other resulting in depression.
Causality aka spill-over effect
A chain of spill-over positive effects in depression interventions might look like:
Feel confident > Hope > Feel in control > No suicidal thoughts > Good sleep
Factors influencing depression
CBT approach to depression
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works by identifying negative thought and emotional patterns through exploring current and past situations that may have caused them and that are no longer applicable.
CBT approach to depression
Certain symptoms may be strong in patients and thus have priority in therapy.
Network of depressive and anxiety symptoms
Overview network based on meta-results drawing on a literature review.
This is a psychological network
- What are the three axioms?
- What might the colored circles represent?
- What stands out regarding the lines linking the circles?
The two absolute basics
Circles are the nodes of the network. These are symptoms, for example.
Lines are the edges linking two nodes in the network. These are relationships between symptoms, for example.
Edges or the relationship between symptoms are operationalized in several ways, each having its own advantages and limitations. We will address this in the next classes.
Axiom 1: Interconnection of formative elements
People in networks
1 - Direct contact (e.g. friend, parent)
2 - Contact through a shared person (e.g. that friend that keeps the group together)
Axiom 1: Interconnection of formative elements
Depressive symptoms in networks
1 - Direct contact (e.g. bad sleep and fatigue)
2 - Contact through a common symptom (e.g. bad sleep - fatigue - anxiety)
Axiom 2: Causal relation between formative elements
Note
1 - Some may be more influential than other (e.g. that one friend who has strong opinions and is the leader of the pack)
2 - Some may take longer to be influenced by one other (e.g. that lone-wolf)
3 - Some my be the one to re-formulate the message so that other influence each-other (e.g. that friend that balances the group)
Axiom 2: Causal relation between formative elements
Note
1 - Depressive symptoms are all interconnected and influence each-other
2 - Some cause other (e.g. insomnia > feeling low OR feeling low > insomnia)
3 - Some are more influential than other (e.g. that symptom that influence many other)
Axiom 3: Influencing factors outside the system
Political ideology itself, media outlets and influencers have all influenced these networks.
Axiom 3: Influencing factors outside the system
Possible factors
1 - Triggers (e.g. life events)
2 - Biological and genetical (e.g. increase in mtROS possibly indicating mitochondria (the cell powerhouse) dysfunction)
3 - Social (e.g. unhealthy work habits)
4 - …
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Depressive symptoms in adult women
- Assessment instruments must be validated
- Estimated network must be stable
- Influence of symptoms must be accurate
- Possible differences across groups
