Can Beck's theory of depression and the response style theory be integrated?

Abstract

There are obvious similarities between the cognitive constructs of A. T. Beck's (1976) cognitive theory and the response style theory (S. Nolen-Hoeksema & J. Morrow, 1991). Different propositions of J. A. Ciesla and J. E. Roberts (2007) and S. Lyubomirsky and S. Nolen-Hoeksema (1993, 1995) concerning associations of 2 response styles, brooding and reflection, with constructs of Beck's cognitive theory (schemata, cognitive errors, cognitive triad, automatic thoughts) were tested. Model comparisons were based on a 4-week study in which 397 participants completed self-report instruments at 2 time points. A model allowing schemata to influence brooding and reflection that influence the other cognitive variables of Beck's cognitive theory fits the data better than the other integrated models. However, although schemata were significant predictors of both response styles, neither response style did significantly predict other cognitive variables. A comparison of the integrated model with Beck's original cognitive theory revealed that Beck's original theory fits the data better than the integrated model, whereas both models explain about the same amount of variance. Thus, an integration of Beck's theory and the response style theory are not supported.

Testing Three Different Sequential Mediational Interpretations of Beck's Cognitive Model of the Development of Depression

“…Considering the differences in the prevalence rate of depression between men and women (Angst et al, ) and the fact that some cognitive variables seem to be more prevalent in women than in men (for a review, see Nolen‐Hoeksema, ), the generalizability of the findings to male populations was limited. However, we are aware of only two studies testing for possible differences in the associations between the cognitive variables as proposed by Beck's cognitive model (Beck, , ; Beck & Weishaar, ) and between the cognitive variables and depressive symptoms (Pössel, ; Pössel & Thomas, ). Neither of the two studies found sex differences in these associations, making it more likely that our findings can be generalized to male populations.…”

The Combined Effects of Self-Referent Information Processing and Ruminative Responses on Adolescent Depression

“…For the current sample, internal consistency for 12 the overall measure was strong at both time points (Cronbach's alpha = .95 and .87, 13 respectively). While internal consistency for the Brooding subscale was slightly lower than 14 preferred at both Time 1 and Time 2 (Cronbach's alpha = .66, .68, respectively), other studies 15 found comparable internal consistencies ranging from .60 (Pössel, 2011) to .77 (Treynor et 16 al., 2003). Internal consistency for the Reflection subscale was acceptable at both Time 1 17 and Time 2 (Cronbach's alpha = .80, .73, respectively), which were also comparable to 18 internal consistencies in other studies (Cronbach's alpha ranging from .68 to .73, Pössel, 19 2011, Treynor et al, 2003).…”

Can the Hopelessness Model of Depression and Response Style Theory Be Integrated?

“…Third, rumination but not its subtypes brooding and reflection were examined. Although two longitudinal studies (Pössel, ; Winkeljohn Black & Pössel, ) did not find support for the influence of an interaction between dysfunctional attitudes and either of the ruminative subtypes on depressive symptoms, another study found support for the influence of a Dysfunctional Attitudes × Brooding interaction (Winkeljohn Black & Pössel, ). Thus, it is possible that the significant effect of the interaction between cognitive risk and rumination in Alloy et al's study was not related to the negative inferences but to dysfunctional attitudes.…”