Abstract
The main aim of present study was to develop a model that specifies the predictive effects of some character strengths in depression. Two hundred individuals with major depression were recruited from clinical psychology centers. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires measuring dysfunctional attitudes, basic emotions, character strengths, and depression. Seven character strengths of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, gratitude, forgiveness, hope, spirituality, and zest were selected to measure the latent variable of character strengths. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Normed chi-square, comparative fit index, incremental fit index, and other indices demonstrated an adequate fit for the model suggesting that character strengths had an indirect effect on depression through the mediation of dysfunctional attitudes, negative affect, and happiness. Character strengths had negative effects on dysfunctional attitudes and positive effects on happiness. The findings of present study have implications for practitioners and researchers to develop an integrative model for the treatment of depression.
Highlights
Depression is one of the most common and debilitating mental disorders (Ross et al, 1997)
Analysis of the correlations revealed that there existed significant positive relationships between all character strengths and happiness
All dysfunctional attitudes were positively associated with depression and negative emotions
Summary
Depression is one of the most common and debilitating mental disorders (Ross et al, 1997). It is characterized by symptoms such as sadness, loss of pleasure, irritable mood, and feelings of worthlessness (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association., 2013). It is assumed that dysfunctional attitudes can lead to negative emotions and dysfunctional behaviors. Some studies have argued that the cognitive psychopathology model of emotion is inadequate (e.g., Le Doux, 1996; Zajonc, 2000). It has been shown that emotions can precede cognition and that they can have an integral contribution to information processing (Forgas, 2000; Greenberg, 2002)
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