An Answer to “So What?” Implications of Network Theory for Research and Practice

Research and practice in psychiatry and clinical psychology have been guided by differing schools of thought over the years. Recently, the network theory of psychopathology has arisen as a framework for thinking about mental health. Network theory challenges three common assumptions: psychological problems are caused by disease entities that exist independently of their signs and symptoms, classification and diagnosis of psychological problems should follow a medical model, and psychological problems are caused by diseases or aberrations in the brain. Conversely, network theory embraces other assumptions that are well accepted in clinical practice (e.g., the interaction of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, as posited in cognitive-behavioral therapies) and integrates those assumptions into a coherent framework for research and practice. In this article, the authors review developments in network theory by focusing on anxiety-related conditions, discuss future areas for change, and outline implications of network theory for research and clinical practice.