Comparing Different Sequential Mediational Interpretations of Beck’s Cognitive Model of Depression in Adolescents

The Conceptualization of the Positive Cognitive Triad and Associations with Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

The positive cognitive triad (positive cognitions about the self, world, and future) has been considered a protective factor against depressive symptoms. This study examines three conceptualizations of the positive cognitive triad and their relation to depressive symptoms. Analyses were replicated in two samples in order to provide evidence for the validity of findings. Two samples (n₁ = 2982, M_age = 13.04, Range_age = 11-15 years; n₂ = 2540, M_age = 13.11, Range_age = 11-16 years) of Australian adolescents completed the Positive Cognitive Triad Inventory and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Findings supported the notion that the overall positive cognitive triad is a protective factor for depressive symptoms, and specifically, the role of positive cognitions about the self in this protection. After future studies examine the directionality of the relation between positive cognitions and depressive symptoms, mental health providers using cognitive behavioral approaches may consider examining positive cognitions with patients.

Integrating Beck's Cognitive Theory of Depression and the Hopelessness Model in an Adolescent Sample

Adolescence is a critical period in the development of depression. Hence, researching the applicability of cognitive theories in adolescents is crucial. Currently, much remains unknown about how cognitive variables proposed in different theories interplay with one another and whether gender differences in these associations exist. Attempting to integrate Beck's cognitive model and the hopelessness model in adolescents, we conducted a 4-wave study using self-report instruments with 499 adolescents (mean age_Time1 = 15.33 years; SD = 0.75; 63.3% female; 73.7% White, 13.8% Black, 5.4% Latina/o, 4.4% mixed race/ethnicity, and 2.6% other) from a high school where almost one third of the students were eligible for free or reduced lunch. Using AMOS and PROCESS to calculate and compare four different theory-driven models, we found support for an integrated model in which the inferential styles proposed in the hopelessness model are located between cognitive errors and the cognitive triad from Beck's cognitive theory. Further, the individual inferential styles and elements of the cognitive triad are associated differently with each other and other variables in the integrated cognitive model. The gender differences we found were limited and did not form a meaningful pattern. If replicated, the integrated model could be the basis to understand how therapeutic techniques developed to modify cognitive variables proposed in one model can impact cognitive constructs from a different theory. This might make cognitive psychotherapies for depression more effective, as it will allow clinicians to integrate therapeutic techniques based on either of the original theories in one theory-driven treatment approach.

A pilot study of attachment relationships, psychological problems and negative automatic thoughts among college students in Pakistan

Objectives The present pilot study examined the associations between attachment relationships, psychological problems, and negative automatic thoughts among late adolescents in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Subjects A total of 98 participants (male = 49, female = 49) were recruited from government colleges in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Methods The measures used to assess the research variables of this cross sectional study were the Inventory of Parent-Peer Attachment (IPPA-Urdu), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-Urdu), and the Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ-Urdu). Results All of these measures had good reliabilities. Findings of the correlation analyses demonstrated that maternal, paternal and peer attachment relationships were negatively related to symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as to negative automatic thoughts. On the other hand, depressive and anxiety symptoms were positively associated with negative automatic thoughts. Additionally, findings suggested that future studies must investigate adolescents from two-parent households and exclude those with only one living parent. Conclusion The results underscored the need for further investigations of the linkages between attachment relationships, negative automatic thoughts and psychological problems on larger samples.

Changes in cognitive distortions and affectivity levels in adolescent depression after acute phase fluoxetine treatment

INTRODUCTION

It is supposed that both antidepressants and psychotherapies work in a manner consistent with cognitive theories of depression when changing negative affective and cognitive distortions. This study evaluated changes in cognitive distortions (i.e. systematic misinterpretations of new information) and affectivity in adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) after acute phase treatment with fluoxetine.

METHODS

Twenty-five adolescents (mean age 15.10 years (SD = 1.19); 17 (68%) females) with MDD receiving fluoxetine were followed for 8 weeks. Clinician rating scales of MDD and self-reports of cognitive distortions and affectivity were completed before and after the treatment.

RESULTS

Seven (28%) adolescents showed significant improvement in cognitive distortions, 11 (44%) showed a significant decrease in negative affect, and 15 (60%) showed a significant increase in positive affect. The responders to fluoxetine had significantly decreased level of negative affect (62.5%) and an increased level in positive affect (81.2%) compared to non-responders, whereas there were no differences between the two regarding changes in cognitive distortions.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with fluoxetine over 8 weeks led to reductions in cognitive distortions, with decreased negative and increased positive affect in adolescents with MDD. Improvements in affectivity levels closely corresponded to reductions in depressive symptoms and were greater than improvements in cognitive distortions.