A Behavior Genetic Analysis of Pleasant Events, Depressive Symptoms, and Their Covariation

Abstract

Although pleasant events figure prominently in behavioral models of depression, little is known regarding characteristics that may predispose people to engage in pleasant events and derive pleasure from these events. The present study was conducted to evaluate genetic and environmental influences on the experience of pleasant events, depressive symptoms, and their covariation in a sample of 148 twin pairs. A multivariate twin modeling approach was used to examine the genetic and environmental covariance of pleasant events and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that the experience of pleasant events was moderately heritable and that the same genetic factors influence both the experience of pleasant events and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that genetic factors may give rise to dispositional tendencies to experience both pleasant events and depression.

The Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness and Depression in Elementary Pre-Service Teachers: The Sequential Mediating Role of Flow Experience and Learning Engagement

“…85 Therefore, the flow experience often serves as a protective factor against depression, positively contributing to alleviating depression. 50,51 Furthermore, this study also found that earning engagement mediates the relationship between TM and depression, with a mediation effect of 5.50%. In other words, the stronger an individual's TM, the higher their earning engagement, and the weaker their experience of depression.…”

“… 85 Therefore, the flow experience often serves as a protective factor against depression, positively contributing to alleviating depression. 50 , 51 …”

“…Flow states are often accompanied by intense feelings of joy, satisfaction, and a sense of achievement, and these positive emotions act as protective factors against depression, inhibiting its development. 50 , 51 Moreover, depression often involves individuals underestimating their own abilities and self-doubt, while individuals immersed in a state of flow tend to have confidence in their capabilities, believing they can overcome challenges and achieve success. 52 If individuals can frequently experience flow experiences, it can help them build a more positive self-awareness and reduce the risk of depression.…”

Do (Even) Depressed Individuals Believe That Life Gets Better and Better? The Link Between Depression and Subjective Trajectories for Life Satisfaction

“…At Wave 2, approximately 10 years later, participants were recontacted and invited to again complete a telephone survey and a self-administered questionnaire. Note that several studies have reported findings from the MIDUS, including reports on depression (e.g., Sbarra, Emery, Beam, & Ocker, 2014; Whisman, Johnson, & Rhee, 2014) and LS (e.g., Röcke & Lachman, 2008; Staudinger et al, 2003). No studies to date, however, have focused on the issues addressed in the present work.…”

The Effectiveness of a Nurse-led Behavioral Activation Intervention in Hospitalized Depressed Elderly: a Pragmatic Cluster-randomized Clinical Trial.

“…In the rst session, patients were educated on the treatment rationale and executed an exercise in keeping up a mood diary. During the second session, patients added some potentially pleasant activities to their daily routine using the "pleasant activity list" (Lewinsohn & Amenson, 1978;MacPhillamy & Lewinsohn, 1982). In the following two sessions (3 and 4) patients developed and executed a pleasant activity plan.…”