Psychology

Reasons for depression and the process and outcome of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between clients' reasons for depression and the process and outcome of a cognitive therapy (CT) and a behavioral activation (BA) treatment for major depression. Reason giving was conceptualized as the tendency to offer multiple explanations for a problem. Different reasons for depression were also thought to match or mismatch the theoretical model underlying each treatment. Reasons for depression were assessed pretreatment with a previously developed questionnaire. Process variables including homework compliance and perceived treatment helpfulness were measured early in treatment. Results demonstrated that perceived helpfulness of the treatment was associated with positive outcomes in BA. Reason giving was associated with worse outcomes in BA. Specific reasons also predicted differential outcome in the 2 treatments. Clients who endorsed existential reasons for depression had better outcomes in CT and worse outcomes in BA. Relationship-oriented reasons were consistently associated with negative process and outcome in CT. Results are discussed in terms of the function of reason giving and the role of specific explanations for depression in treatment process and outcome.

Publication Title

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Publication Date

1996

Volume

64

Issue

6

First Page

1417

Last Page

1424

ISSN

0022-006X

DOI

10.1037/0022-006X.64.6.1417

Keywords

pretreatment reasons for depression, homework compliance & perceived helpfulness & outcome of cognitive therapy vs behavioral activation treatment, depressed clients

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