Adaptive and Maladaptive Networks Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Authors

  • Bettina Hufschmidt
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Mareike Ebert
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Arwin Nemani
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Viktoria Kohl
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Lucie Pahlen
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Simon Müller
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Stefan G. Hofmann Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
  • Ulrich Stangier Orcid
    Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Abstract

Background: A person’s ability to adapt to a given context is a critical determinant of mental health and psychopathology, which has been redefined by network approaches and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). This study examined whether including adaptive processes in EMA enhances the informational value of idiographic network models. Method: Forty-five university students participated in a multi-week EMA protocol assessing psychological dimensions using bipolar visual analogue scales ranging from maladaptive to adaptive. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one assessed only maladaptive processes; the other included both maladaptive and adaptive processes. Results: Network analyses indicated higher density and connectivity in the adaptive–maladaptive group, as well as significantly reduced floor effects across all variables. Greater response dispersion was associated with more differentiated network structures. Motivation emerged as the most central node across conditions, highlighting its relevance as a transdiagnostic treatment target. Cognitive processing showed strong associations with other variables, underlining its clinical importance. Conclusion: The findings suggest that incorporating adaptive dimensions into EMA facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of psychological functioning and improves the interpretability of idiographic models. The study represents an initial feasibility investigation and a basis for further investigations in clinical practice.