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Attentional processes in depressive disorders

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Abstract

Theory and research in depression have recently emphasized that self-focused attention may be an important cognitive aspect of this disorder. Although previous research has demonstrated a relationship between self-focused attention and subclinical depression, empirical studies to date have not examined the occurrence of this process in clinically depressed individuals. Using a measure of state self-focused attention frequently employed in social-cognitive research on self-focused attention, the present study addressed this issue in a clinically depressed sample. Results indicated that depressed subjects evidenced significantly more self-focused attention than did a nondepressed control group. Moreover, the proportion of this attention that was personally unfavorable was also substantially greater in the depressed group. Results were discussed in terms of the manner in which increased self-focused attention might potentially be related to the onset and course of depression.

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Appreciation is expressed to the staff of the Department of Psychiatry at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, for assistance in the collection of data for the present study.

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Ingram, R.E., Lumry, A.E., Cruet, D. et al. Attentional processes in depressive disorders. Cogn Ther Res 11, 351–360 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01186286

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