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Dissertation
A laboratory test of the expanded hopelessness theory of depression: towards a clearer understanding of the relationship between inferential feedback, depressive symptoms, and depressogenic inferences
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
Aug 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000650
Abstract
Cross-sectional and prospective research indicates that inferential feedback, a newly identified subtype of social support that exists along an adaptive to maladaptive continuum, impacts depressed mood, depressogenic inferences, and depressive disorders (Panzarella & Alloy, 1995; Panzarella, DeFronzo, Cascardi, Truesdell, & Alloy, 2002). However, inferential feedback has not been manipulated in any prior study making it difficult to determine if it plays a causal role in depression. The current study represents the first controlled test of the role of adaptive inferential feedback in the reduction of depressive symptoms and depressogenic cognitive inferences. One hundred forty seven college undergraduates from a diverse urban university participated in a laboratory study with a partner (e.g., friend, classmate). Participants and partners were separated upon their arrival to the lab. Participants completed a "cognitive abilities test that predicts professional success" and received failure feedback regarding their performance on this task. Participants were told to discuss the failure experience with their partner. Partners were randomly assigned to offer either adaptive inferential feedback, general/non specific social support that did not include an adaptive inferential feedback component, or no social support to the participant following the cognitive abilities test, holding all other factors constant. As expected, individuals who received adaptive inferential feedback demonstrated the greatest decreases in dysphoria and depressogenic inferences following the receipt of feedback, compared to the other social support conditions. These findings provide preliminary empirical support for a causal relationship between inferential feedback, depressed mood, and depressogenic inferences. Implications for the role of adaptive inferential feedback as a clinical tool are discussed in light of the study's findings.
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Details
- Title
- A laboratory test of the expanded hopelessness theory of depression
- Creators
- Roseanne De Fronzo
- Contributors
- Pamela A. Geller (Advisor)Catherine Panzarella (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vi, 145 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991014970306304721