The Effects of Mindsets on Depression Open Access

Abstract

Although evidence-based interventions have been developed to treat depression, relapse rates remain high. This suggests a gap in current theories of depression and its treatments. Cognitive theories of depression posit that maladaptive cognitions about stressful events increase the vulnerability for depression. However, these theories have not examined how changeability mindsets, one's beliefs about the potential for change in personal characteristics, would account for depression. Even though mindset interventions have successfully promoted resilience to academic failure, mindsets have not been fully investigated in the etiology of depression or in the promotion of resilience to psychopathology. The present study examined the effects of mindsets on depression and whether mindsets would incrementally predict risk for depression beyond traditional cognitive theories of depression. Stable attributions were further tested as potential mediators for the effects of mindsets on depression. In addition, a double-blind randomized mindset intervention was conducted to reduce depressive symptoms one month post-intervention. In a sample of 107 college freshmen, regression analyses were used to examine these relations. Results showed that mindsets were not significantly associated with depression and did not uniquely predict depression beyond current cognitive theories. The mindset intervention also did not significantly reduce depressive symptoms one month later. However, a change in mindset was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms one month later, but only for individuals with an external locus of control. These results provide support for a revised model that incorporates mindsets and locus of control into current etiology and treatment of depression. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and to develop new depression interventions incorporating mindsets and locus of control together.

Table of Contents

Introduction ..............................................................................................1

Method ................................................................................................... 29

Results .................................................................................................... 36

Discussion .............................................................................................. 44

References .............................................................................................. 60

Appendix (Tables, Figures, Supplement) ....................................................69

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Psychology
Degree	PhD
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Clinical
Keyword	Depression Mindsets Implicit theories
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Duke, Marshall P, Emory University
Committee Members	Brennan, Patricia, Emory University Nygaard, Lynne, Emory University Abramowitz, Ann, Emory University Wolff, Phillip, Emory University

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