title: Proximity, relationship closeness, and cognitive vulnerability: predicting enduring depressive reactions to a college campus tragedy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that enduring depressive reactions to tragedy are due to a unique combination of three factors-close physical proximity to the event, close relationship with the victim(s), and high levels of cognitive vulnerability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 70 undergraduates (66% female; mean age = 18) from a midsized private university. Cognitive vulnerability and depressive symptoms were assessed 2 years before a college campus tragedy; physical proximity, relationship with the victim, and depressive symptoms were assessed 2 months after the tragedy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with a combination of high levels of cognitive vulnerability and close physical proximity to the event were at greater risk for enduring depression, but only if they did not have a very close relationship with the victim.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article puts forth a testable theory that helps to explain why some individuals are at risk for enduring depressive reactions to tragedy. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Notre Dame.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Haeffel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D003071:Cognition; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D064891:Disaster Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognitive vulnerability; depression; proximity; tragedy