TY - JOUR
T1 - Coping behaviors as predictors of the course of clinical depression
AU - Parker, Gordon
AU - Brown, Laurence
AU - Blignault, Ilse
PY - 1986
Y1 - 1986
N2 - We assessed a large sample of nonmelancholic, depressed subjects, using a self-report measure we developed, to determine behavioral coping dimensions and the predictive validity of the measure. A principal-components analysis of measure scores suggested dimensions of distraction, support seeking, self-consolation, recklessness, affect reduction, and help seeking, largely replicating findings in nonclinical groups. Factor scores on each dimension were calculated for the subsample of depressive subjects consulting a psychiatrist. Those baseline scores were examined against subse quent improvement in depression levels at six and 20 weeks. A significant and consistent predictor of a poor outcome was a higher initial score on the self-consolation dimension. A better outcome was weakly associated at six and 20 weeks with higher scores on affect reduction, whereas higher distraction scores were weakly associated with a poorer outcome at 20 weeks. The study thus confirmed the relevance of coping behaviors in a clinically depressed group and demonstrated the predictive strength of the measure.
AB - We assessed a large sample of nonmelancholic, depressed subjects, using a self-report measure we developed, to determine behavioral coping dimensions and the predictive validity of the measure. A principal-components analysis of measure scores suggested dimensions of distraction, support seeking, self-consolation, recklessness, affect reduction, and help seeking, largely replicating findings in nonclinical groups. Factor scores on each dimension were calculated for the subsample of depressive subjects consulting a psychiatrist. Those baseline scores were examined against subse quent improvement in depression levels at six and 20 weeks. A significant and consistent predictor of a poor outcome was a higher initial score on the self-consolation dimension. A better outcome was weakly associated at six and 20 weeks with higher scores on affect reduction, whereas higher distraction scores were weakly associated with a poorer outcome at 20 weeks. The study thus confirmed the relevance of coping behaviors in a clinically depressed group and demonstrated the predictive strength of the measure.
KW - adjustment (psychology)
KW - depression_mental
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:47329
U2 - 10.1001/archpsyc.1986.01800060055007
DO - 10.1001/archpsyc.1986.01800060055007
M3 - Article
SN - 0003-990X
VL - 43
SP - 561
EP - 565
JO - Archives of General Psychiatry
JF - Archives of General Psychiatry
IS - 6
ER -