Objective Rejection sensitivity has been found to confer risk for depression. The process through which this occurs remains unclear. This risk factor also has been associated with negative behavioral tendencies and interpersonal difficulties. Drawing on these different lines of research, the current investigation aimed to evaluate stress generation, the tendency for depression-prone individuals to experience higher rates of life stressors that are at least in part influenced by their own behavior, as a potential mechanism mediating the link between rejection sensitivity and subsequent depressive symptoms. Method Sixty-six adults with a history of depression were followed over a four-month interval, and completed assessments of rejection sensitivity and depressive symptoms at baseline, and depressive symptoms, a diagnostic interview for depression, as well as a contextual threat life stress interview at four-month follow-up. Results Consistent with the stress generation hypothesis, rejection sensitivity predicted higher rates of dependent stressors, but not independent ones, over the four-month prospective follow-up period. Furthermore, prospectively occurring dependent stressors mediated the relation between baseline rejection sensitivity and depressive symptoms at follow-up. Conclusions The finding that stress generation may operate as a mediating mechanism underlying the pathway between rejection sensitivity and depression lends preliminary support for the importance of targeting maladaptive behavioral tendencies in rejection-sensitive individuals in clinical settings.

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Objectives To understand depressed individuals’ experiences in a 10-week hatha yoga program. Design In a randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned to either 10 weeks of hatha yoga classes or a health education control group. This report includes responses from participants in yoga classes. At the start of classes, average depression symptom severity level was moderate. Main outcome measures After 10 weeks of yoga classes, we asked participants (n=50) to provide written responses to open-ended questions about what they liked about classes, what they did not like or did not find helpful, and what they learned. We analyzed qualitative data using thematic analysis. Results and Conclusions Elements of yoga classes that may increase acceptability for depressed individuals include having instructors who promote a non-competitive and non-judgmental atmosphere, who are knowledgeable and able to provide individualized attention, and who are kind and warm. Including depression-related themes in classes, teaching mindfulness, teaching breathing exercises, and providing guidance for translating class into home practice may help to make yoga effective for targeting depression. Participants’ comments reinforced the importance of aspects of mindfulness, such as attention to the present moment and acceptance of one’s self and one’s experience, as potential mechanisms of action. Other potential mechanisms include use of breathing practices in everyday life and the biological mechanisms that underlie the positive impact of yogic breathing. The most serious concern highlighted by a few participants was the concern that the yoga classes were too difficult given their physical abilities.

Many individuals who self-identify as having BD believe that yoga has benefits for mental health. However, yoga is not without potential risks. It is possible that yoga could serve as a useful adjunctive treatment for BD.