An investigation of the etiological role of cognitive vulnerability factors in mild depression

An experiment was conducted to test two extensions of Kuiper's vulnerability model of depression. Two questions were examined: (1) will the relationship between vulnerability schemata and maladaptive information processing noted in earlier research be robust when examined within the context of a more internally valid study? and (2) is the concept of situational specificity a useful addition to the model? The second question addressed whether the influence of vulnerability schemata is more global or situationally specific in nature.;The influence of cognitive vulnerability to depression on the perception of ambiguous evaluative feedback was investigated in a dyadic interaction. The dyadic interaction required participants to assert their beliefs and opinions regarding several hypothetical situations. For vulnerable individuals who were also unassertive the dyadic interaction represented an event which was expected to impact upon their vulnerability schemata. All participants received ambiguous feedback regarding their performance in the interaction. Based on Kuiper's model it was predicted that there would be statistically significant interaction between personal domain relevancy and cognitive vulnerability to depression. Participants higher on cognitive vulnerability to depression and lower on assertiveness were expected to display a tendency to negatively bias their perceptions of the feedback they received.;Overall, the results of the study failed to provide any support for both Kuiper's model and the two proposed extensions. These findings suggest that Kuiper's model may not be valid or that the model may work only under the experimental conditions provided by previous investigators. Future research examining Kuiper's vulnerability model must continue to emphasize sound methodology and the use of designs which facilitate generalizing to more naturalistic contexts. A useful first step would be to replicate the present study.