The Role of the Self in Depression

Depression stats Prevalence: 20% of U.S. population Prevalence: 20% of U.S. population Women are twice as likely as men to be depressed. Women are twice as likely as men to be depressed.

Characteristics of Depressed People Feelings of: Feelings of: Hopelessness—there’s nothing anyone can do to make it better. Hopelessness—there’s nothing anyone can do to make it better. Helplessness—there’s nothing I can do to make it better. Helplessness—there’s nothing I can do to make it better. Worthlessness—I’m a weak, inadequate person; a failure. Worthlessness—I’m a weak, inadequate person; a failure.

Characteristics of Depressed People Distorted thinking: Distorted thinking: Dwelling on negative aspects of life and self. Dwelling on negative aspects of life and self. Negative interpretations of ambiguous events. Negative interpretations of ambiguous events. Internal attributions for failure. Internal attributions for failure.

Characteristics of Depressed People Self-focused attention: Self-focused attention: More time spent thinking about self, especially after negative events. More time spent thinking about self, especially after negative events. Ruminative coping style- thinking about how sad you are. Ruminative coping style- thinking about how sad you are. Women ruminate more than men. Women ruminate more than men.

What Causes Depression? Diathesis-Stress Model Diatheses-factors that make certain people more vulnerable than others. Stress-negative life events that may bring on depressive episodes. Diathesis + Stress = Depression

What Causes Depression? Self-Esteem Risk Factors: Low SE Low SE Contingent SE Contingent SE Labile (variable) SE Labile (variable) SE

Beck’s Model of Depression Beck assumes: Beck assumes: 1. Depressed people have negative self- evaluations. 2. Depressed people focus more on negative information than positive information. 3. Dysfunctional beliefs make people more vulnerable to depression.

What Causes Depression? Attributional Models Attributional Models Helplessness Model of Depression: Depression results when people, Perceive that important events are beyond their control Perceive that important events are beyond their control Attribute negative events to internal, stable, and global causes. Attribute negative events to internal, stable, and global causes.

Positive Illusions and Mental Health

Do people possess accurate self- knowledge? NO! NO! BTA effect BTA effect Self-other bias Self-other bias Illusion of control Illusion of control Unrealistic optimism Unrealistic optimism

Do people really believe they’re so wonderful? Maybe Maybe Not limited to students Not limited to students Occurs even when anonymous Occurs even when anonymous

Benefits of Positive Illusions Positive illusions are correlated with happiness. Positive illusions are correlated with happiness. Self-efficacy is more predictive of success than actual ability. Self-efficacy is more predictive of success than actual ability. Positive illusions help people cope with illness. Positive illusions help people cope with illness. Optimism is correlated with recovery from illness. Optimism is correlated with recovery from illness.

Limits and Costs of Positive Illusions Overly positive self-views (e.g., narcissism) Overly positive self-views (e.g., narcissism) Exaggerated perceptions of control Exaggerated perceptions of control Excessive optimism Excessive optimism