Abstract
Background
The differential activation hypothesis (Teasdale & Dent, 1987) proposes that negative cognitions in individuals with a history of depression are activated more easily by negative mood than individuals without this history. The change of cognitions due to mood change was termed cognitive reactivity. Negative cognitions might exist on both explicit and implicit dimensions.
Methods
This study examined the differential activation hypothesis on coping-related cognitions among people with a history of depression under different mood states in comparison with people who are currently depressed and those who have no history of depression. Coping-related cognitions were examined on both explicit and implicit dimensions. Currently depressed (n = 42), previously depressed (n = 61), and never depressed (n = 62) participants were tested on computer-based paradigms designed to measure depression, mood, and explicit and implicit cognitions.
Results
Explicit negatively biased cognitions on coping existed among currently depressed individuals and to some extent among previously depressed individuals. Explicit cognitive reactivity existed among previously depressed individuals for emotional-related content. Implicit cognitive compensation tendency existed among currently depressed individuals on negative coping while implicit cognitive reactivity existed among previously depressed individuals on positive coping.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated the existence of negatively biased cognitions and cognitive reactivity among people with a history of depression with coping-related contents, and on both explicit and implicit dimensions. The findings are consistent with the differential activation hypothesis.