Frustration of basic psychological needs as a potential transdiagnostic pathway between anger suppression, self-blame, and depressive symptoms

Introduction: This longitudinal study examined psychological processes drawn from different theoretical frameworks, specifically anger suppression, self-blame, and basic psychological needs (BPN) frustration in relation to depressive symptoms, with focus on their temporal ordering and directional associations over time. Methods: N = 344 participants completed an online survey at three time points, each 2 months apart. Results: At the within-person level, dynamic interrelations emerged: heightened anger suppression was followed by lower subsequent BPN frustration; greater frustration was subsequently linked to decreases in suppression; and elevated depressive symptoms temporally preceded increases in suppression. The model also showed positive autoregressive effects for need frustration, indicating that elevated frustration tended to persist over time. At the between-person level, individuals who chronically suppressed anger reported higher self-blame, BPN frustration, and depressive symptoms, forming a stable maladaptive profile in which BPN frustration linked both anger suppression and self-blame with depressive symptoms. Discussion: BPN frustration appears to be a key time-persistent process linking anger suppression and self-blame with depressive symptoms, integrating both momentary regulatory dynamics and more enduring vulnerabilities. These findings highlight the potential value of interventions aimed at buffering against need frustration as a transdiagnostic strategy for the prevention of depressive symptoms.