The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes
Abstract
I propose that the ways people respond to their own symptoms of depression influence the duration of these symptoms. People who engage in ruminative responses to depression, focusing on their symptoms and the possible causes and consequences of their symptoms, will show longer depressions than people who take action to distract themselves from their symptoms. Ruminative responses prolong depression because they allow the depressed mood to negatively bias thinking and interfere with instrumental behavior and problem-solving. Laboratory and field studies directly testing this theory have supported its predictions. I discuss how response styles can explain the greater likelihood of depression in women than men. Then I intergrate this response styles theory with studies of coping with discrete events. The response styles theory is compared to other theories of the duration of depression. Finally, I suggest what may help a depressed person to stop engaging in ruminative responses and how response styles for depression may develop.
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In the citing paper
“rumination, defined as passive focus on one's symptoms and their causes and consequences, has been shown to exacerbate negative moods (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991).”
From Relationships among adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and psychopathology during the treatment of comorbid anxiety and alcohol use disorders (2015) · cites this paper as Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991
In the citing paper
“Rumination is a dysfunctional thinking pattern that repeatedly and passively recalls the causes and effects of distress, even though it is not helpful in problem solving (41).”
From How do children with Tourette’s syndrome and their caregivers live with the disorder? A systematic review of qualitative evidence (2022) · cites this paper as [41]
In the citing paper
“Several studies found that the practice of mindfulness was possibly able to clarify the effects of rumination as a self-critical questioning of one's own emotions and circumstances.22,23”
From Mindfulness in mood and anxiety disorders: A review of the literature (2017) · cites this paper as [22]
In the citing paper
“Evidence suggests that the Major Depressive Disorder has many symptoms and disorders co-morbid that maintain depression (5-8).”
In the citing paper
“A ruminative thinking style in response to low mood appears to be a key feature in relapsing depression [9,10].”
In the citing paper
“Whilst both distraction (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991) and self-compassion (Neff, 2003b) are better responses than rumination to regulate negative mood, self-compassion is likely more effective for emotional regulation as it provides a process for working through negative thoughts and emotions.”
From A multi‐method evaluation of a compassion‐focused cognitive behavioural psychotherapy group for people who self‐harm. (2022) · cites this paper as Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review
Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004 · Cited by 6,686
Self-citationThe Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion
NEFF, K. D. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309027 · Cited by 6,436
Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition.
Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segal, Z. V., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., et al. (2004) · Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice · doi:10.1093/clipsy.bph077 · Cited by 7,234
Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks
Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T.-A. (1997) · Psychology of Women Quarterly · doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x · Cited by 5,531
Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself
NEFF, K. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309032 · Cited by 5,440
Metadata
- Authors
- Nolen-Hoeksema, S.
- Venue
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology
- Published
- 1991-11
- Volume
- 100
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 569-582
- ISSN
- 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1846
- OpenAlex
- W4253507931
- Cited by
- 4,529
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 217 · 2025: 244 · 2024: 232 · 2023: 227 · 2022: 247 · 2021: 245 · 2020: 245 · 2019: 176 · 2018: 187 · 2017: 195 · 2016: 213 · 2015: 206 · 2014: 224 · 2013: 202 · 2012: 202
- FWCI
- 12.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (2r01mh043760-04)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH43760)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- depression, depressive episodes, episode duration, coping responses
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Attention, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Individuality, Sick Role, Thinking
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