Diagnostic specificity of the dependent and self-critical personality dimensions in major depression.
Validational studies of self-critical and dependent personality dimensions as vulnerability factors for depression have been tested primarily with depressed samples, employing research designs devised to address state vs. trait and trait-situational congruity issues. In this study we examined the diagnostic specificity to depression of these two personality dimensions, comparing Self-Criticism and Dependency scores as measured by the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) in two samples of outpatients: (1) panic disorder with agoraphobia; and (2) non-psychotic, unipolar major depression. As hypothesized, the two groups differed on Self-Criticism, with the depressed group scoring higher, but no differences were found for Dependency. These findings were similar even when depressed mood was partialed out. These results complement a growing body of research associating Self-Criticism, as specifically measured by the DEQ, with depression.
Bagby
R M
RM
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cox
B J
BJ
Schuller
D R
DR
Levitt
A J
AJ
Swinson
R P
RP
Joffe
R T
RT
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003859:Dependent Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept