The relationship among major depression, depressive symptoms, and self-preoccupation

Author(s): Tomoda, A., Iwata, N., Aihara, W., Kitamura, T.

Journal/Book: J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 1999; 21: 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA. Plenum Publ Corp. 37-49.

Abstract: The present study investigates whether highly self-preoccupied people (exhibiting a tendency to focus primarily on the self and to maintain self-focused attention) were more likely to experience major depressive episodes (MDEs) than those without such tendencies. One hundred nineteen young community residents, aged 18 to 21, took part in semistructured interviews, during which we investigated their past and present history of mental illness, including MDEs, as delineated by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed. Rev.; DSM-III-R). Self-preoccupation was measured by the Self-Preoccupation Scale (SPS). Of the 119 participants interviewed, the lowest and highest quarters in the SPS scores formed the low- and high-self-preoccupation (SP) groups. The lifetime prevalence of the DSM-III-R MDE was significantly greater among those high in SP than in the low SP group. Moreover, the high-SP group had significantly more depressive symptoms than the low-SP group. The contributory role of self-preoccupation to suicide ideation and the interpersonal aspects of self-preoccupation were discussed.

Note: Article Sakamoto S, 4-281 Nakamura Cho, Minami Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2320033, JAPAN

Keyword(s): depression; self-consciousness; self-focus; diagnostic criteria; community residents; FOCUSED ATTENTION; DISORDERS; POPULATION; PSYCHOLOGY; COMMUNITY; CRITERIA; SUICIDE; HEALTH; STYLE; MOOD

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