Self-devaluative dysphoric experience and the prediction of persistent first-episode major depressive disorder in adolescents.
BACKGROUND
The quality of subjective experience of dysphoria may predict persistence of depression, independently of severity. This is tested in a clinic sample of adolescents with first episode of major depression using the Depressed States Checklist adapted for adolescents.


METHODS
Ninety-four adolescents with DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) were followed up at 12 months. Self-devaluative components of dysphoric experience, ruminative style, over-general autobiographical memory, and self-reported and observer-rated measures of depression severity were assessed at presentation and evaluated as predictors of persistent MDD.


RESULTS
Persistent MDD was predicted by the independent additive effects of the higher self-devaluative component of dysphoria, lower general intelligence and greater observer-rated severity of depression at presentation. Neither self-reported depression score, overgeneral memory retrieval nor ruminative style contributed.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of self-devaluative dysphoric experience increase the liability for persistence of first-episode MDD. Other affective-cognitive components also contribute. The adolescent version of the Depressed States Checklist is a useful brief measure of cognitive vulnerability for persistence in currently depressed young people.
Park
R J
RJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. rebecca.park@psych.ox.ac.uk
Goodyer
I M
IM
Teasdale
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013223:Statistics as Topic