Occupational dream, relation to parents and depression in the early adult transition

Abstract

Assessed the impact of difficulty forming an occupational dream and relating to parents on depression among college students in their late teens and early twenties. Becoming independent of parents and forming an occupational dream are seen as two central issues during this period of life. Results from 64 students suggest that having to give up a valued dream, viewing one's relation to mother as authority‐obeyer, and doing little exploring of occupational choices are related significantly to depression (p <0.0004). The significance of these results is discussed in light of theories of depression and the possible importance of different parenting styles for young adults who are facing the early adult transition.

The destructiveness of perfectionism: Implications for the treatment of depression.

“…A wide range of studies indicate that disrupted parent–child relations can lead to the development of distorted working models (Main et al, 1985) or mental representations (Blatt, 1974) of self and others and that some of these impaired schema can create an unusual vulnerability to depression. Parental failure to provide consistent care, nurturance, or support, as well as parental exercise of excessive authority, control, criticism, and disapproval, are associated with depression (e.g., Blatt, Wein, et al, 1979; Gjerde, Block, & Block, 1991; Gooden & Toye, 1984; Johnson, Petzel, Dupont, & Romano, 1982; Koestner, Zuroff, & Powers, 1991; Lekowitz & Tesiny, 1984; McCranie & Bass, 1984; G. Parker, 1979a, 1979b, 1982, 1983; G.…”