title: Dependency and self-criticism in treatments for depression.
abstract: Dependency and self-criticism are vulnerability factors for depression. How these personality factors change with treatment for depression and how they relate to symptom change across different types of treatment require further research. In addition, cultural differences that interact with the dependency/self-criticism-depression relation remain underinvestigated. We randomly assigned 149 adults with major depression to receive active medication (MED; n = 50), supportive-expressive therapy (SET; n = 49), or placebo pill (PBO; n = 50). Participants completed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ; Blatt, D'Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976) before and after treatment and completed the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Hamilton, 1967) throughout the course of treatment. Self-criticism as measured on the DEQ decreased with treatment similarly across conditions. DEQ Dependency decreased in MED but remained unchanged in SET and PBO. Higher initial dependency, but not higher initial self-criticism, predicted poor treatment response across conditions. Greater reduction in self-criticism was associated with greater reduction in depressive symptoms, but the effect was weaker for racial minorities (vs. White). Increase in connectedness, an adaptive form of dependency, was associated with symptom improvement in SET but not MED. Hence, different pathways of change seem to be implicated in the treatment of depression depending on culture and type of intervention. Implications for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors: Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies.
authors: Harold
authors: H
authors: Chui
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Haifa.
authors: Sigal
authors: S
authors: Zilcha-Mano
authors: Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Dinger
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania.
authors: Marna S
authors: MS
authors: Barrett
authors: Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies.
authors: Jacques P
authors: JP
authors: Barber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires