Congruence of personality and life events in depression

Article Abstract:

Sociotropy refers to the need for approval. Highly sociotropic (needing positive social contacts) individuals often go out of their way to please others in order to feel secure. Autonomy (being able to function alone) refers to a need for independence and achievement. Highly autonomous people fear failure and tend to overcompensate by exerting control over situations and other people. To evaluate relationships between sociotropy, autonomy and depression, 58 outpatients and 20 inpatients (21 women and 57 men, with an average age of 42) diagnosed with major depressive disorder were compared with 44 nondepressed psychiatric patients (Study 1) and 82 male and female healthy undergraduates (Study 2). In Study 1, all patients were interviewed and completed self-report questionnaires to assess depression, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. They also completed the Schedule of Recent Events (SRE) and the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale (SAS). In Study 2, the students also took a battery of tests and were categorized as mildly depressed or nondepressed, and placed in high or low sociotropy and autonomy groups. In Study 1, data analysis revealed that the depressed, highly sociotropic patients (19) reported significantly more recent negative interpersonal than negative autonomy-related events. Depressed, autonomous patients (22) and nondepressed, sociotropic and autonomous schizophrenic patients demonstrated no significant SRE differences. In Study 2, depressed, highly sociotropic students reported more recent negative interpersonal events than nondepressed students, while the highly autonomous depressed students reported greater frequency of negative autonomy-related events on the SRE. Both studies suggest an interaction between sociotropy, depression, and the perception of negative interpersonal events. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Life change events, Personality and situation, Situation-personality interaction

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Interpersonal concomitant and antecedents of depression among college students

Article Abstract:

Two related hypotheses that focus upon interpersonal aspects of depression are reviewed in conjunction with a study performed on college students. The concomitant hypothesis states that interpersonal problems usually accompany depression and intensify symptoms. The antecedent hypothesis asserts that interpersonal difficulties precede the onset of depression. Both theories stress the impact of social relations in the development of depression. Social behavioral patterns of college students were recorded using a variety of rating methods; demographic data were also recorded. The total group of 119 students was broken down into three general categories: depressed individuals, students with other mental disorders, and normal controls. The results of the data showed several overlapping characteristics between the depressed group and the individuals with other disorders. The characteristics of the roommates of these students were also reported. Some features that were unique to the depressed group included reduced social contact with their roommates, little enjoyment from the social contacts that were made, and high levels of stress. The roommates of the depressed group scored low on tests that measured enjoyment levels and had strong aggressive-competitive reactions toward their depressed roommates. This supports previous research which has indicated depressed individuals have a negative impact on those around them and that their relationships, in general, are problematic. The identification of specific vulnerability factors that are common to individuals suffering from depression remains difficult. However, certain social behavioral tendencies which aggravate depression can be identified. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies

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Interpersonal perceptions and consequences of depressive-significant other relationships: a naturalistic study of college roommates

Article Abstract:

To examine effects of depression and anxiety on the cognitive (knowledge and awareness) and social perceptions of relationships between same-sex roommates, 34 male and 45 female pairs of randomly assigned freshman university roommates were studied. Each student completed several self-report measures, then was classified as belonging to one of three target groups: normal (i.e., nondepressed and nonanxious), depressed, or anxious. They then completed a booklet of demographic, mood and interpersonal questionnaires. The final data analysis excluded pairs in which both roommates were depressed or anxious. Results revealed that targets who had siblings or who had more rooming experience in the past were more likely to evaluate their roommates favorably and to feel they were liked by their roommates. Depressed men tended to view their roommates negatively and to receive negative evaluations and reactions from their normal roommates. Anxious men received less negative evaluations. While depressed women tended to have negative perceptions of their normal roommates, their negative feelings were not reciprocated. Normal female roommates also did not view their anxious roommates negatively. Depressed women believed that they had a more negative impact on their roommates than anxious women did. The finding that depressed men are more rejected by roommates than depressed women was thought to be related to gender role stereotypes and socialization patterns. Normal roommates tended to be overly optimistic about their impact on depressed and anxious targets, confirming prior research findings of optimistic and self-enhancing biases among nondepressed individuals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Behavior, Roommates

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