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Attachment, depressotypic cognitions, and dysphoria

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Abstract

Prior research has identified dysfunctional attitudes and depressotypic attributional style as potential cognitive vulnerabilities to depression. The origins of these cognitive vulnerabilities, however, are unknown. The present study was conducted to determine whether perceived attachment to one's primary caregiver in childhood was associated with endorsement of dysfunctional attitudes and depressotypic attributional style in adulthood. Results from 104 undergraduates suggested that (a) perceived attachment was related to dysfunctional attitudes (but not to depressotypic attributional style); and (b) perceived attachment, dysfunctional attitudes, and depressotypic attributional style were related to dysphoria. Moreover, the relation between perceived attachment and dysphoria was partially mediated by dysfunctional attitudes regarding Performance Evaluation and Approval of Others.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208205, 06520-8205, New Haven, Connecticut

    Mark A. Whisman

  2. University of Connecticut, USA

    Ann L. McGarvey

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  1. Mark A. Whisman
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Preparation of this article was supported by a grant from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, awarded to Mark A. Whisman.

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Whisman, M.A., McGarvey, A.L. Attachment, depressotypic cognitions, and dysphoria. Cogn Ther Res 19, 633–650 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02227858

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