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Negative self-schemas and the onset of depression in women : longitudinal study
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Evans, Jonathan, Heron, Jon, Lewis, Glyn, Araya, Ricardo and Wolke, Dieter (2005) Negative self-schemas and the onset of depression in women : longitudinal study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 186 (Number 4). pp. 302-307. doi:10.1192/bjp.186.4.302 ISSN 0007-1250.
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.4.302
Abstract
Background Beck’s cognitive theory of depression has received little empirical support.
Aims To test whether those with negative self-schemas were at risk of onset of depression.
Method Data were collected by postal questionnaire from 12 003 women recruited during early pregnancy; questionnaires included measures of depressive symptoms and negative self-schemas. Regular questionnaires were sent during pregnancy and following childbirth.
Results Of 8540 women not depressed when recruited, 8.6% (95% CI 8.0–9.2) became depressed 14 weeks later. Those in the highesttertile for negative self-schema score were more likely to become depressed than those in the lowesttertile (odds ratio 3.04, 95% CI 2.48–3.73). The association remained after adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms and previous depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI1.27–2.02) and was of similar magnitude for onset 3 years later.
Conclusions Holding a negative self-schema is an independent risk factor for the onset of depression in women. This finding supports a key element of Beck’s cognitive theory. Understanding more about how negative self-schemas arise should help inform preventive policies.
Negative beliefs about the self, the world and the future are common during an episode of depression. According to Beck’s influential cognitive theory, individuals who hold negative self-schemas when otherwise well are vulnerable to developing depression in the future (Beck, 1967). However, results from studies investigating negative self-schemas and depression have been conflicting. Cross-sectional studies have found a robust association, but negative self-schema scores improve when people with depression recover (Haaga et al, 1991; Scott et al, 1995). One explanation, that negative self-schemas are only elicited during a period of normal lowering of mood (Teasdale & Cox, 2001), is supported by experimental mood induction studies (Kelvin et al, 1999). However, as no large prospective study of negative self-schemas has been conducted in non-depressed populations, the need for this modification of cognitive theory is uncertain. In this investigation, we examine whether holding negative self-schemas is an independent risk factor for the onset of depression during pregnancy in a large, representative sample of non-depressed women.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Journal or Publication Title: | The British Journal of Psychiatry | ||||
Publisher: | Royal College of Psychiatrists | ||||
ISSN: | 0007-1250 | ||||
Official Date: | 2005 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | Volume 186 | ||||
Number: | Number 4 | ||||
Page Range: | pp. 302-307 | ||||
DOI: | 10.1192/bjp.186.4.302 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published |
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