Abstract
There is substantial evidence supporting the hypothesis that cognitive reactivity is an important variable in the etiology
of depression. However, there is a lack of studies examining possible mechanisms that underlie cognitive reactivity. The present
study tested whether two specific mood regulation processes differentially appear in vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals,
and whether they can account for differences in cognitive reactivity. In a cross-sectional experimental design, 20 formerly-depressed
individuals (FD) were compared with 20 never-depressed individuals (ND). In an autobiographical memory task both groups differed
concerning the use of positively and negatively toned emotion words: FD retrieved fewer positive emotion words than ND in
the second phase of this task. Furthermore, FD with a high cognitive reactivity retrieved more negatively toned emotion words.
In the ND group there was a different pattern: Subjects with a high cognitive reactivity retrieved less positively toned emotion
words. Two different cognitive processes seem to account for cognitive reactivity in individuals who are at high versus low
risk for depression.
of depression. However, there is a lack of studies examining possible mechanisms that underlie cognitive reactivity. The present
study tested whether two specific mood regulation processes differentially appear in vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals,
and whether they can account for differences in cognitive reactivity. In a cross-sectional experimental design, 20 formerly-depressed
individuals (FD) were compared with 20 never-depressed individuals (ND). In an autobiographical memory task both groups differed
concerning the use of positively and negatively toned emotion words: FD retrieved fewer positive emotion words than ND in
the second phase of this task. Furthermore, FD with a high cognitive reactivity retrieved more negatively toned emotion words.
In the ND group there was a different pattern: Subjects with a high cognitive reactivity retrieved less positively toned emotion
words. Two different cognitive processes seem to account for cognitive reactivity in individuals who are at high versus low
risk for depression.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9406-7
- Authors
- Timo Brockmeyer, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Nils Pfeiffer, Schön Klinik Roseneck, Am Roseneck 6, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
- Martin Grosse Holtforth, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/Box 19, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
- Johannes Zimmermann, Department of Psychology, University of Kassel, Holländische Straße 36-38, 34127 Kassel, Germany
- Annette Kämmerer, Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstrasse 47-51, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hans-Christoph Friederich, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hinrich Bents, Centre for Psychological Psychotherapy, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstrasse 47-51, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916