DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES, DEPENDENCY, AND SELF-CRITICISM AS PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE MOOD STATES - A 12-MONTH LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and the Dependency and Self-Criticism scales from the Depressive Experiences Questionnaaire (DEQ) have been identified as possible markers for vulnerability to depressive mood states (Blatt, 1974; Weissman & Beck, 1978). Sixty-six undergraduate women were tested with the DAS, the DEQ, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Approximately 12 months later, 46 subjects were successfully contacted and retested with those scales. In addition, they rated the severity of their worst period of dysphoria during the 12-month interval using a retrospective version of the BDI and measures of anaclitic and introjective state depression. All three vulnerability measures displayed acceptable temporal stability. After controlling for initial levels of depression, the DAS predicted the BDI measure of worst period depression. Dependency predicted anaclitic state depression, and Self-Criticism predicted introjective state depression. The majority of both dependent and self-critical subjects' worst periods involved interpersonal events. The results added to the evidence that stable cognitive and personality variables confer vulnerability to depressive mood states. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.