Supporting study - Heninger, Delgado, Charney (1996)
Aim:
To test the hypothesis of brain monamine systems having a primary direct role in depression. To test and chracterize the role of seretonin and catecholamines.
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Procedure:
Brief clinical relapse followed by different types of antidepressant treatment for depressed patients, recovered patients, and healthy controls. Participants were either given a seretonin depletion or catecholamine depletion.
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Results:
Neither seretonin nor catecholamine had an effect on those who were currently in treatment for depression or healthy patients. However, recovered patients who had seretonin depletion had increased depressive symptoms.
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Implications:
This study shows that antidepressant for brain monamine systems do play a role, but it is not the only factor. Along with antidepressant, another type of treatment should be used at the same time for depressed patients. This study also implies that antidepressant rugs should only be used for depressed patients who are during the treatment of depression.
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role of hormones
Studies show that hormones play a role in depression. Studies suggest that antidepressant should be used as one of the treatments, because they help control the level of hormones affecting patients' mood.
Biological etiology
Role of genetics
Supporting Study: Sullivan, Naele, Kendler (2000)
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Aim:
To investigate the genetic epidemiology of major depression.
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Procedure:
Meta-analysis of family studies through the use of MEDLINE. From these studies, the author derived a quantitative summary statistics.
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Results:
The ratio of depression for proband (initial member with depression) versus first-degree relative status were consistent. Two of the adoption studies showed the genetic liability on depression. Five twin studies showed that familial aggregation was due to genetics. However, environment played a minimal role for siblings.
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Implication:
Major depression is a disorder that does not result from either genetic or environmental factor alone but rather from both. It is a familial disorder which results from genetics, but the environmental influences were etiologically significant as well.
Besides hormones, genetics play a role in depression. Study below suggest that there are genetic predispositions for depression.
Cognitive etiology
Beck's cognitive theory of depression
Overview
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In Cognitive theory of depression, Becks argues that negative thoughts, generated by dysfunctional beliefs, are the cause of depressive symptoms. This is an opposing view compared to biological standpoint, because this theory states that the negative cognition affects how patients get depressed.
Beck's Cognitive Triad
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According to Beck, negative thoughts are about the self, the world, and the future.
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Studies showed that these negative thoughts about their self/future/world strongly controlled the interactions between dysfunctional attitudes and the increase in depressed mood.
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Beck's theory also appear either physically those who are awkward or lacking in social/interpersonal skills. He has found that adolescent females are generally more competent interpersonally. But because of that, they are more likely to not facilitate when actual game has been introduced.
Evaluation
Strengths:
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Abundant research conducted
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Foundational theory which sparked many other researches
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Distinguishes the cognitive aspects of depression
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Can be generalized to Western population
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Explains depressogenic schema
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BDI was developed. Helps with treatment and avoids relapse just from cognitive view.
Limitations:
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Characteristics of depression were too broad, might have been related to environmental factors, not internal.
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Cultural bias
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Negative thoughts do not always cause depression
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Not clear boundary between just negative thoughts and depressive symptoms
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Is not considering biological aspect.
Supporting study: Boury et al.
Aim:
To give insight on credibility on Beck's Cognitive Triad Theory.
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Procedure:
Monitored students' negative thoughts using Beck Depression Inventory. Researchers hypothesized that "Individuals who are depressed misinterpret facts and experiences in a negative fashion, limiting their focus to the negative aspects of situations, thus feeling hopeless about the future".
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Results:
There was a direct relationship between negative thoughts and severity of depressive symptoms.
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Implications:
Negative thoughts characterizes depression.
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Supporting Study - Brown and Harris (1978)
Aim:
To see what extent social and cultural factors may play a role in the onset of depression in women.
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Procedure:
458 women in South Lindon were surveyed on their daily life and depressive episodes.
Researchers researched on biological episodes. Those events were externally evaluated on its severity by researchers.
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Results
Large effects of social class on depression was seen. Working class women with children were more likely to develop depression than middle-class.
8% of all women were depressed. Out of those depressed women, 90% of them had experienced an adverse life events. And only 30% of non-depressed women suffered from adverse events.
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Implications
There are three major social factors that play a role in depression.
1. Protective Factors
These factors include high intimacy with husbands.
2. Vulnerability Factors
These factors include loss of family
3. Provoking Agents
These include on-going current life events.
These resulted in grief/hopelessness/higher levels of self-esteem, thus leading to depression.
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Strengths:
- High reliability
- Sparked new methodological insights in terms of "social" aspect
- Supports Beck's Cognitive Triad Theory
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Limitations
- Cultural and gender bias
- The study does not actually measure the severity of depression since the data was self-reported.
What are social factors that might lead to depression?
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Death of a close family member/friend
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Relationship problems
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High intimacy with husbands
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Poverty
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Social pressure at work
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Social pressure at school
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Other social factors
