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Interpersonal and achievement concerns and the depressive vulnerability and symptom specificity hypotheses: A prospective study

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Abstract

Some studies suggest that excessive interpersonal and achievement concerns (1) create vulnerability to depression in response to specifically congruent negative stressors, and (2) are related to specific constellations of symptoms among subjects who are depressed. We tested both hypotheses together in one prospective study of students, using Beck's Sociotropy and Autonomy scales, a measure of life events, and self-reported depressive symptoms. Both sociotropy and autonomy were associated with stronger relations between events and depression, but evidence for domain-specific congruence was weak. The specific symptoms hypothesis was supported for both sociotropy and autonomy. We also used Blatt's Dependency and Self-Criticism scales in testing this hypothesis. Dependency showed specificity, but self-criticism was associated with both predicted and nonpredicted depressive symptoms. The findings are discussed in the context of measurement issues and research directions in interpersonal and achievement concerns and psychopathology.

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Author notes

  1. Adele M. Hayes

    Present address: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Denver, USA

    Paul Block

  2. Harvard University Medical School, USA

    Rachel J. Kramer

  3. New York University, USA

    Mary Villena

  4. Duke University Medical Center, Box 3903, 27710, Durham, North Carolina

    Clive J. Robins & Adele M. Hayes

Authors
  1. Clive J. Robins
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  2. Adele M. Hayes
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  3. Paul Block
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  4. Rachel J. Kramer
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  5. Mary Villena
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Robins, C.J., Hayes, A.M., Block, P. et al. Interpersonal and achievement concerns and the depressive vulnerability and symptom specificity hypotheses: A prospective study. Cogn Ther Res 19, 1–20 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229673

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