Implicit and explicit self-esteem in remitted depressed patients.
Low self-esteem is a symptom of depression and depression vulnerability. Prior research on self-esteem has largely focused on implicit (ISE) and explicit self-esteem (ESE) as two separate constructs, missing their interaction. Therefore, the current study investigated the interaction between ISE and ESE in a depression-vulnerable group (remitted depressed patients; RDs), compared to never-depressed controls (ND).



Seventy-five RDs and 75 NDs participated in the study. To measure ESE, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was used. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) and the Name Letter Preference Task (NLPT) were used to assess ISE.



RDs reported lower ESE than NDs. However, the two groups did not differ on ISE. RDs exhibited a damaged self-esteem or a low-congruent self-esteem, similar to what has been found in currently depressed patients. Moreover, damaged self-esteem was associated with residual depressive symptoms.



The results need to be interpreted with care because the IAT and NLPT did not reveal the same associations with the clinical measures.



Implicit and explicit self-esteem may be different constructs in depression and studying the combination is important. The present study provides evidence indicating that damaged self-esteem may be more detrimental than low congruent self-esteem.
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: daniquesmeijers@gmail.com.
Danique
D
Smeijers
Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Janna N
JN
Vrijsen
Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Iris
I
van Oostrom
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Linda
L
Isaac
Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Anne
A
Speckens
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Eni S
ES
Becker
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Mike
M
Rinck
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Depression; Explicit self-esteem; Implicit self-esteem; Remission; Self-esteem; Vulnerability