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Cited by 825Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Treatments and DisordersPsychological Treatments and Assessments

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 112 of the 113 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Self-regulatory perseveration and the depressive self-focusing style: A self-awareness theory of reactive depression.

Pyszczynski, Tom, Greenberg, Jeff·1987·Psychological Bulletin
DOI 10.1037/0033-2909.102.1.122
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Abstract

In this article, we apply theory and research on self-focused attention and self-regulatory processes to the problem of depression and use this framework to integrate the roles played by a variety of psychological processes emphasized by other theories of the development and maintenance of depression. We propose that depression occurs after the loss of an important source of self-worth when an individual becomes stuck in a self-regulatory cycle in which no responses to reduce the discrepancy between actual and desired states are available. Consequently, the individual falls into a pattern of virtually constant self-focus, resulting in intensified negative affect, self-derogation, further negative outcomes, and a depressive self-focusing style in which he or she self-focuses a great deal after negative outcomes but very little after positive outcomes. Eventually, these factors lead to a negative self-image, which may take on value by providing an explanation for the individual's plight and by helping the individual avoid further disappointments. The depressive self-focusing style then maintains and exacerbates the depressive disorder. We review findings from laboratory studies of mild to moderately depressed people, correlational studies of more severely depressed people, and clinical observations with respect to consistency with the theory. Recent empirical research on depression has yielded a wide

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-2909.102.1.122

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Metadata

Authors
Pyszczynski, T., & Greenberg, J.
Affiliations
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (US)
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Bulletin
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1987
Volume
102
Issue
1
Pages
122-138
ISSN
  • 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1455
DOI
10.1037/0033-2909.102.1.122
OpenAlex
W2067373654
Cited by
825
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 27
FWCI
29.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords
reactive depression, self-focus, self-awareness, self-worth, self-derogation, negative self-concept, depression maintenance, negative affect
MeSH terms
Adjustment Disorders, Awareness, Cognition, Humans, Psychoanalytic Theory, Self Concept

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