The use of self-reference statements for depression induction and reversal

This study investigated whether depression induced with negative self-reference statements could be reversed using positive self-reference statements. Depression was induced and reversed in subjects using the Velten (1968) mood induction procedure (VMIP). Forty-eight, non-depressed university students (mean age was 32 years), were assigned to one of three groups. Experimental group one subjects read negative followed by positive reversal self-reference statements to induce and reverse depressed mood respectively. Experimental group two subjects first read negative statements to induce a state of depression followed by reading neutral statements, thought not to affect mood. A third group read neutral statements twice and served as a control. Three dependent measures included: the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List Depression Scale (MAACL-D), a writing speed task, and a distance approximation task. On two of the three measures (the MAACL-D and writing speed), depression was found to be induced after the first experimental phase. It was shown that depression was reversed in experimental group one subjects after reading positive reversal self-reference statements as assessed by the MAACL-D. It was further found on the MAACL-D that the three groups differed in mood levels at the second posttesting, demonstrating the effectiveness of the mood reversal procedure. The distance approximation task failed to show any differences throughout the experiment. This study demonstrated strong evidence that depressed mood can be induced and reversed in a controlled setting, within a single session.