Cited by 179Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesResilience and Mental HealthNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Inflexibility as a Vulnerability to Depression: A Systematic Qualitative Review

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Stange, Jonathan P., Alloy, Lauren B., Fresco, David M.·2017·Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

Abstract

The study of vulnerabilities to depression typically identifies factors that are thought to be universally maladaptive or adaptive. In contrast, researchers recently have theorized that the ability to flexibly engage in different thoughts and behaviors that fit situational demands may be most indicative of psychological health. We review empirical evidence from 147 studies reporting associations between five components of flexibility (set-shifting, affective set-shifting, cardiac vagal control, explanatory flexibility, and coping flexibility) and depression and classify studies according to strength of study design. Evidence from correlational and case-controlled studies suggests cross-sectional relationships, but few prospective studies have been conducted. We discuss limitations of existing studies, identify new directions for programmatic research, and discuss implications that flexibility has for the prevention and treatment of depression.

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Goldberg E The executive brain: Frontal lobes and the civilized mind 2001 New York Oxford University Press
  2. Crowe SF The differential contribution of mental tracking, cognitive flexibility, visual search, and motor speed to performance on parts A and B of the Trail Making Test Journal of Clinical Psychology 1998 54 5 585 591 9696108
  3. Liang CS Lee JF Chen CC Chang YC Reactive heart rate variability in male patients with first-episode major depressive disorder Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2015 56 52 57 25149628
  4. Lin K Xu G Lu W Ouyang H Dang Y Lorenzo-Seva U Lee TM Neuropsychological performance in melancholic, atypical and undifferentiated major depression during depressed and remitted states: a prospective longitudinal study Journal of Affective Disorders 2014 168 184 191 25061955
  5. Qi ZH Chen J Jiang H Zhang HJ Relation of attribution styles and attribution flexibility to mental health in college students Chinese Mental Health Journal 2012 26 4 310 314

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Authors
Stange, J. P., Alloy, L. B., & Fresco, D. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Illinois Chicago (US)
  • Temple University (US)
  • Kent State University (US)
Corresponding author
Stange, Jonathan P.
Venue
Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
Published
2017-06-13
Volume
24
Issue
3
Pages
245-276
ISSN
0969-5893 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2625353282
Cited by
179
References
223
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 4
FWCI
16.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Science and Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Research Service Award (F31MH099761)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH79369, MH101168)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL119977)
  • National Institute of Nursing Research (P30NR015326)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
inflexibility, depression vulnerability, flexibility, set-shifting, cardiac vagal control, coping flexibility, depression prevention, depression treatment, mental health

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