E/PE has demonstrated bidirectional effects with many significant social and occupational experiences (Neyer & Lehnart 2007, Roberts et al. 2003, Scollon & Diener 2006). In addition, a decrease in E/PE over time was found to predict future internalizing problems (Van den Akker et al. 2010). However, little attention has been given to mechanisms underlying the association between this trait and depression. Support for an environmentally mediated effect is limited and mixed (Middeldorp et al. 2008, Wetter & Hankin 2009), and the environmental moderation model is largely untested, although there is some evidence that positive affect moderates the effects of daily stressors on depressive symptoms (Wichers et al. 2007).
