title: Vulnerability-specific stress generation: an examination of depressogenic cognitive vulnerability across multiple domains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there is supporting evidence for the stress generation hypothesis (i.e., the tendency for depression-prone individuals to experience more negative dependent events influenced by their behaviors and characteristics), additional research is required to advance current understanding of the specific types of dependent events relevant to this effect. The present study elaborated on the stress generation hypothesis, in which the content of negative dependent events experienced by individuals is contingent upon, and matches, the nature of their particular vulnerabilities. This extension was tested within the context of Cole's competency-based model of depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=185) were assessed at two time-points separated by a four-month interval.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-perceived competence in academic, social, and appearance domains at the initial time-point were examined in relation to negative life events prospectively occurring over the four-month follow-up period, assessed using the "contextual threat" method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partial support was obtained for vulnerability-specific stress generation. Stress-generation specificity was found for self-perceived competence in appearance and academic domains, but not for self-perceived social competence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current findings are consistent with the possibility of a more complex relation between self-perceived social competence and domain-congruent stress generation. Individuals may be more likely to experience negative dependent events in domains matching their specific vulnerabilities.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior , Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Providence , RI , USA.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lauren B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Alloy
authors.forename: Becky M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mastin
authors.forename: James Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognitive vulnerability; depression; negative life events; schema; stress generation