Testing the mood-state hypothesis among previously depressed and never-depressed individuals

Miranda and Persons' (1988) mood-state hypothesis of cognitive dysfunction was tested in a sample of 30 previously depressed individuals and 33 individuals with no lifetime mood disorder. Participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS; Weissman & Beck, 1978) and a self-report measure of current mood (Visual Analogue Scale; Luria, 1975) both before and after a sad mood induction. The mood manipulation was equally successful across both groups, and reports of dysfunctional cognitions increased significantly from pre- to post-induction for the entire sample. Contrary to prediction, the magnitude of DAS change was equivalent for previously depressed and never-depressed participants. Furthermore, the positive relationship between DAS score and sad mood was equally strong in both groups at baseline. Thus, the mood-state hypothesis was not supported.