title: Negative self-schemas and the onset of depression in women: longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beck's cognitive theory of depression has received little empirical support.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test whether those with negative self-schemas were at risk of onset of depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by postal questionnaire from 12,003 women recruited during early pregnancy; questionnaires included measures of depressive symptoms and negative self-schemas. Regular questionnaires were sent during pregnancy and following childbirth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 8540 women not depressed when recruited, 8.6% (95% CI 8.0-9.2) became depressed 14 weeks later. Those in the highest tertile for negative self-schema score were more likely to become depressed than those in the lowest tertile (odds ratio 3.04, 95% CI 2.48-3.73). The association remained after adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms and previous depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.27-2.02) and was of similar magnitude for onset 3 years later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Holding a negative self-schema is an independent risk factor for the onset of depression in women. This finding supports a key element of Beck's cognitive theory. Understanding more about how negative self-schemas arise should help inform preventive policies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University of Bristol, Cotham House, Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JL, UK. j.evans@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Araya
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wolke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires