An Interpersonal-Cognitive Integration Model of Depression: Multi-Step-Multi-Mediator Effect of Brooding Rumination and Causal Uncertainty on the Relation between Excessive Reassurance-Seeking and Depression
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Yang, Ju-Tai
Abstract
Introduction: Excessive reassurance seeking (ERS) was deemed as the core of Coyne’s Interactional theory of depression. Though behaviors of depressed individuals have been studied extensively, influences of cognitive factors after seeking reassurances are less explored. Past research indicated that causal uncertainty belief, a self-construct, has mediation effect on the association between ERS and depression. On the other hand, brooding, the maladaptive aspect of rumination, might activate negative self schema, and then influence the development and maintenance of depression. However, no studies up to date have examined the activating effect of brooding on causal uncertainty belief. In addition, past research suggested gender differences in depression, ERS, and rumination. Therefore, gender difference is also examined in the present study.
Purpose: To examine the possible links among brooding, causal uncertainty, reassurance-seeking, and depression, the present study will examine the multiple mediation effect of brooding and causal uncertainty on the relationship between ERS and depression.
Method: Study 1 examined psychometric properties of the Causal Uncertainty Scale-Chinese version (CUS-C) with a sample of 175 undergraduate students. Study 2 examined the relation of causal uncertainty, ERS, and depression with a sample of 101 undergraduate students and provided validity evidence for the CUS-C. In study 3, the mediation effect of causal uncertainty was replicated by using 248 undergraduate students. The multiple-step-multiple-mediator effect of brooding and causal uncertainty was examined in order to further investigate the cognitive mechanism in the interpersonal theory of depression. Finally, gender differences of the cognitive mechanisms were also examined.
Results: The results indicate that: (1) The CUS-C yielded good psychometric properties. Moreover, CUS-C scores correlated significantly and positively with ERS and depressive symptoms. (2) Causal uncertainty was found to mediate the relationship between ERS and depressive symptoms. (3) Brooding had the effect on activating causal uncertainty beliefs. Moreover, the indirect effect of multiple mediations was significant. (4) Contrary to the hypothesis, no gender difference was yielded in depressive symptoms and rumination except ERS. Furthermore, the mediation effect of causal uncertainty and the multiple mediations had gender differences.
Discussion: Based on the above findings, the activating effect of brooding on negative self schema and the cognitive mechanism in interpersonal theory of depression were discussed to elucidate the appropriateness of applying the interpersonal-cognitive theory of depression in non-clinical samples. Possible application and future directions were also addressed.
Subjects
Excessive Reassurance Seeking
Causal Uncertainty
Brooding Rumination
Depression
Type
thesis
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