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Cited by 105Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesEvolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorTreatment of Major Depression

Evolutionary theories of depression: a critical review

Open access
Hagen, Edward H·2011·The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1177/070674371105601203
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Abstract

We critically review evolutionary theories of major depressive disorder (MDD). Because most instances of MDD appear to be caused by adversity, evolutionary theories of MDD generally propose that sadness and low mood evolved as beneficial responses to adversity, and that MDD is dysfunctional sadness and low mood. If so, MDD research should focus much more heavily on understanding the healthy functions of sadness and low mood to better understand how they dysfunction. A debate about the boundary between healthy sadness and MDD is then reviewed. In part, this debate turns on whether MDD's costliest symptoms could provide unknown benefits. Therefore, the review concludes by discussing 2 theories that explore possible benefits of prolonged anhedonia and suicidality.

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  • Many features of depression (e.g., anhedonia, negative thinking bias, social withdrawal) reduce exposure to social risks by inhibiting reward-approach behaviours.

    “many features of depressionsuch as anhedonia, a negative thinking bias and social withdrawalreduce exposure to social risks by inhibiting rewardapproach behaviours [51]”

    From The depressed brain: an evolutionary systems theory (2017) · cites this paper as [51]

  • The subjective sense of incapacity encourages acceptance of rank loss.

    “Further, the subjective sense of incapacity encourages acceptance of rank loss (Hagen, 2011).”

    From Social functioning in major depressive disorder (2016) · cites this paper as Hagen, 2011

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Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Williams JW, Mulrow CD, Chiquette E, et al. A systematic review of newer pharmacotherapies for depression in adults: evidence report summary. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132(9):743-756.
  2. Perrone M. Glaxo used ghostwriting to promote Paxil: offered to help doctors publish articles on drugs. Associated Press/Boston Globe [online edition]. 2009 Aug 20; News Section.
  3. Wilson D. Drug maker hired writing company for doctors' book, documents say. The New York Times [online edition]. 2010 Nov 29; Business Day Section.
  4. Nesse RM. Is grief really maladaptive? Evol Hum Behav. 2000;29:59-61.
  5. Nesse RM. Evolutionary framework for understanding grief. In: Carr DS, Ness RM, Wortman CB, editors. Spousal bereavement in late life. New York (NY): Springer Publishing; 2006. p 195-226.
  6. Thornhill NW, Thornhill R. An evolutionary analysis of psychological pain following rape: III. Effects of force and violence. Aggress Behav. 1990;16(5):297-320.
  7. Hagen EH. Postpartum depression as an adaptation to paternal and kin exploitation. Paper presented at the Human Behavior and Evolution Society 8th Annual Conference; 1996 Jun [days unknown];

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Authors
Hagen, E. H.
Affiliations
Washington State University Vancouver (US)
Corresponding author
Hagen, Edward H
ORCID
Hagen, Edward H
Venue
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2011-12
Volume
56
Issue
12
Pages
716-726
ISSN
  • 0706-7437 (ISSN-L)
  • 1497-0015
DOI
10.1177/070674371105601203
OpenAlex
W201348123
Cited by
105
References
166
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
FWCI
0.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
major depressive disorder, sadness, depressive mood, adversity, anhedonia, suicidality, evolutionary psychology of emotion
MeSH terms
Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Biological Evolution, Humans, Psychological Theory

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