| Beck and Abramson, Alloy, and Metalsky posit similar yet distinct diathesis-stress models of depression which assume that latent cognitive diatheses interact with negative stressors to produce depression. Although the form of the cognitive diathesis differs between the models, Abramson et al. additionally posit that the cognitive diatheses featured in each model may overlap, and that the models refer to a similar subset of depressives. The subset of depressives described by the models is further conceptualized to demarcate an identifiable subtype of depression characterized by a distinct symptom profile and treatment response. These predictions were tested in 59 depressed outpatients by examining associations between cognitive diatheses, stress, symptoms, and response to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Support for hypotheses was mixed. Results indicated that the cognitive diatheses featured in each model were distinct. Patients conforming to the diathesis-stress criteria according to each model were also largely independent of one another. Comparisons of patients meeting diathesis-stress criteria to other depressed patients supported hypotheses of differential symptom profile. Contrary to prediction, patients meeting cognitive diathesis-stress criteria according to either model did not exhibit preferential response to cognitive-behavioral therapy relative to other depressed patients. The implications of these findings for the existence of a cognitive diathesis-stress subtype of depression are discussed. |
