Life event, mood, and cognitive predictors of perceived stress before and after treatment for major depression

Using regression models, we examined the influence of negative life events, depression severity dysfunctional attitudes, and problem-solving ability on the perceived stress of depressed outpatients before and after antidepressant treatment. The report of negative life events predicted she level of perceived stress in untreated patients, but was not a significant predictor after treatment Depression severity, dysfunctional attitudes, and problem-solving ability were associated with each other improved with treatment, and associated with perceived stress before and after treatment These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that less adaptive coping strategies are applied under conditions of mood disturbance, and that these strategies are in turn linked with increased stress.