Processes Underlying Depression: Risk Aversion, Emotional Schemas, and Psychological Flexibility

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine three theoretical models that identify underlying processes that contribute to depression—Risk Aversion (Leahy, 1997a), Emotional Schemas (Leahy, 2002), and Psychological Flexibility (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 2003). In addition, we examined the relationship among these transdiagnostic variables: 425 adult psychotherapy patients were tested on the Risk Aversion Questionnaire, the Leahy Emotional Schema Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. As predicted, Psychological Flexibility was related to more positive emotional schemas. In particular, emotional schemas reflecting Invalidation, Lack of Consensus, Blame, Lack of Higher Values, and Incomprehensibility were related to less psychological flexibility. Further, 23 of 25 Risk Aversion dimensions were related to psychological flexibility, indicating that experiential avoidance is part of a risk averse strategy. Less discouragement, less overgeneralizing loss, greate...