Integrating Two Subtypes of Depression

Abstract

According to Blatt and Zuroff's 1992 specific vulnerability hypothesis, individuals high in self-criticism or dependency will likely exhibit increases in depressive symptoms following negative achievement and interpersonal events, respectively. The hopelessness theory hypothesizes a distinct subtype of depression, hopelessness depression, with a unique symptom profile. Recent evidence suggests a possible link between dependency or self-criticism and hopelessness depression. The present study examined whether early adolescents with high levels of self-criticism and/or dependency are vulnerable to developing hopelessness depression symptoms following negative events congruent with their personality predispositions. Seventy-nine seventh grade children completed questionnaires assessing self-criticism, dependency, and depressive symptoms. Ten weeks later, depressive symptoms and the occurrence of negative events were assessed. In line with hypotheses, children high in self-criticism exhibited increases in hopelessness but not nonhopelessness depression symptoms following negative achievement but not interpersonal events. Contrary to predictions, children high in dependency exhibited no increases in hopelessness or nonhopelessness depression symptoms following negative events in either domain.