Comparing chronic interpersonal and noninterpersonal stress domains as predictors of depression recurrence in emerging adults

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Erin S. Sheets, Colby College; W Edward Craighead, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-12-01
• Publisher: Elsevier: 24 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.09.001
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Behaviour Research and Therapy
• ISSN: 0005-7967
• Volume: 63
• Start Page: 36
• End Page: 42
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant R21-MH-59629; and by Colby College Social Science Grant 01.2215.
• Keywords: ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATION; Interpersonal stress; Emerging adulthood; Psychology; Chronic stress; Social Sciences; RANDOMIZED-TRIAL; UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION; DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES; Psychology, Clinical; KINDLING HYPOTHESIS; LIFE EVENTS; PERSONALITY-DISORDERS; Stress generation; Recurrence; MAJOR DEPRESSION; Depression; COGNITIVE THERAPY; BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION
• Research Categories: Psychology, Clinical; Health Sciences, Mental Health

Abstract

Understanding how persistent interpersonal difficulties distinctly affect the course of major depressive disorder (MDD) during emerging adulthood is critical, given that early experiences impact future coping resources and functioning. Research on stress and MDD has mostly concentrated on stressful life events, while chronic stress largely has not been explored. The present study examined interpersonal (intimate relationship, close friendships, social life, family relationships) and noninterpersonal (academic, work, financial, personal health, and family members' health) domains of chronic stress as time-varying predictors of depressive recurrence in emerging adults. Baseline assessments identified previously depressed emerging adults (N=119), who subsequently completed 6-month, 12-month and 18-month follow-up interviews to determine chronic stress experiences and onset of new major depressive episodes. Survival analyses indicated that time-varying total chronic stress and chronic interpersonal stress predicted higher risk for depression recurrence; however, chronic noninterpersonal stress was not associated with recurrence. Intimate relationship stress, close friendship stress, family relationship stress, personal health, and family members' health independently predicted MDD recurrence, over and above well-established depression risk factors of dysfunctional cognitions and personality disorder symptoms. Evidence that interpersonal stress could have substantial impact on course of depression is consistent with theories of emerging adulthood, a time when young people are individuating from the family and experiencing significant social transition.