Psychosocial predictors of outcome in subjects with untreated depressive disorder

Untreated community volunteers (n = 66) with a significant reactive or neurotic depressive disorder were assessed at interview to determine predictors of improvement at 6 and at 20 weeks. The degree to which subjects improved by 6 weeks could be predicted by their pattern of improvement one week after initial interview and more definitely at the third week. Key baseline predictors of improvement both at 6 and at 20 week were the break-up of an intimate relationship in the preceding 12 months and weight loss, replicating findings in a study of depressive patients receiving psychiatric assessment and psychotherapy. Other isolated variables appeared to be predictors more of response to the non-specific therapeutic effects of the assessment process.