Toward a personal construct conceptualization of depression and suicide

Abstract

Abstract Research is examined that is relevant to a conceptualization of depression and suicide from the viewpoint of personal construct theory. This review highlights the role played by the following cognitive processes in the two disorders: (a) constriction in construct content and application, (b) construct system disorganization, (c) a breakdown in anticipation of the future, (d) negative self-construing, (e) polarized or dichotomous construing, and (f) perceived interpersonal isolation. Similarities and differences in the construct systems of depressed and suicidal individuals are explored and testable implications of the personal construct model are detailed. The paper concludes by noting construct theory's potential conceptual, methodological, and therapeutic contributions to further work in this area. The prevalence of depression has given rise to numerous theories-ranging from the psychodynamic to the biochemical-that attempt to account for its etiology and offer guidelines for treatment. One of ...