Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2011

Department

Counseling and Human Development

Abstract

There are obvious similarities between the cognitive constructs of Beck’s cognitive theory (1976) and the response style theory (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991). Different propositions of Ciesla and Roberts (2007) and Lyubomirsky and Nolen-Hoeksema (1993, 1995) concerning associations of two response styles, brooding and reflection, with constructs of Beck’s cognitive theory (schemata, cognitive errors, cognitive triad, automatic thoughts) were tested. Model comparisons were based on a 4-week study in which 397 participants completed self-report instruments at two time points. A model allowing schemata to influence brooding and reflection which influence the other cognitive variables of Beck’s cognitive theory fits the data better than the other integrated models. However, although schemata were significant predictors of both response styles, neither response style did significantly predict other cognitive variables. A comparison of the integrated model with Beck’s original cognitive theory revealed that Beck’s original theory fits the data better than the integrated model, while both models explain about the same amount of variance. Thus, an integration of Beck’s theory and the response style theory is not supported.

Original Publication Information

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:

Pössel, Patrick. "Can Beck's theory of depression and the response style theory be integrated?" 2011. Journal of Counseling Psychology 58(4): 618-629.

which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0025092

DOI

10.1037/a0025092

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