Association between decentering and reductions in relapse/recurrence in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: "Decentering" is defined as the ability to observe one's thoughts and feelings as temporary, objective events in the mind (Safran & Segal, 1990), and is increasingly regarded as a candidate mechanism in mindfulness-based interventions. The present study sought to examine the role of decentering, and other related variables, in the efficacy of Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as compared to two active comparison conditions.

Method: Formerly depressed individuals (N = 227), randomly assigned to MBCT (n = 74), relaxation group therapy (RGT; n = 77) or Treatment as usual (TAU; n = 76), completed self-report measures of decentering and symptoms of depression at pre-, mid-, and posttreatment, and relapse was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, posttreatment.

Structural Validity of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised Short Form: Application to Brooding and Reflection.

Research on social problem-solving ability or the cognitive-behavioral processes used to find successful solutions to everyday problems has been advanced by the availability of easy-to-administer self-report measures. The goal of the current study is twofold: (a) validate the factor structure of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised: Short Form (SPSI-R:S) and (b) examine the relationship between depressive rumination subtypes and dimensions of social problem solving. An initial confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in Sample 1 revealed poor model fit.

Depression Among Older Adults: A 20-Year Update on Five Common Myths and Misconceptions.

Is depression among older adults symptomatically different than younger adults? Is it more common or chronic or difficult to treat? Is depression in late life more likely to be attributed to psychological problems? Twenty-years ago, Dan Blazer, a pioneer known for his groundbreaking work on depression in older adulthood, conducted an important review of the existing literature to refute five commonly held beliefs about depression in late life. Now, two decades later, we call upon selected articles that are representative of our current knowledge to provide an update and identify research priorities. The research consensus spanning the past 20 years suggests that when compared with their younger counterparts, depression in older adults is not more common and is not more often caused by psychological factors.

Advances in cognitive theory and therapy: the generic cognitive model.

For over 50 years, Beck's cognitive model has provided an evidence-based way to conceptualize and treat psychological disorders. The generic cognitive model represents a set of common principles that can be applied across the spectrum of psychological disorders. The updated theoretical model provides a framework for addressing significant questions regarding the phenomenology of disorders not explained in previous iterations of the original model.

Using the GAD-Q-IV to identify generalized anxiety disorder in psychiatric treatment seeking and primary care medical samples.

The fourth edition of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-Q-IV) is a self-report measure that is commonly used to screen for the presence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The current investigation attempted to identify an optimal cut score using samples obtained from an outpatient psychiatric (n=163) and primary care clinic (n=99). Results indicated that a cut score of 7.

Beyond Depression: Towards a Process-Based Approach to Research, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Despite decades of research on the etiology and treatment of depression, a significant proportion of the population is affected by the disorder, fails to respond to treatment and is plagued by relapse. Six prominent scientists, Aaron Beck, Richard Davidson, Fritz Henn, Steven Maier, Helen Mayberg, and Martin Seligman, gathered to discuss the current state of scientific knowledge on depression, and in particular on the basic neurobiological and psychopathological processes at play in the disorder. These general themes were addressed: 1) the relevance of learned helplessness as a basic process involved in the development of depression; 2) the limitations of our current taxonomy of psychological disorders; 3) the need to work towards a psychobiological process-based taxonomy; and 4) the clinical implications of implementing such a process-based taxonomy.

Neural mechanisms of the cognitive model of depression.

In the 40 years since Aaron Beck first proposed his cognitive model of depression, the elements of this model--biased attention, biased processing, biased thoughts and rumination, biased memory, and dysfunctional attitudes and schemas--have been consistently linked with the onset and maintenance of depression. Although numerous studies have examined the neural mechanisms that underlie the cognitive aspects of depression, their findings have not been integrated with Beck's cognitive model. In this Review, we identify the functional and structural neurobiological architecture of Beck's cognitive model of depression.

Examination of the factor structure and concurrent validity of the Langer Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale.

Langer's theory of mindfulness proposes that a mindful person seeks out and produces novelty, is attentive to context, and is flexible in thought and behavior. In three independent studies, the factor structure of the Langer Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale was examined. Confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the four-factor model and a subsequent exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of a two-factor (mindfulness and mindlessness) solution.

Interpersonal vulnerability to depression in high-risk children: the role of insecure attachment and reassurance seeking.

This study examined the relation between insecure attachment and depression in a sample of 140 children (69 boys and 71 girls; ages 6 to 14) whose parents have a history of major depressive episodes. In addition, we examined whether this relation was moderated by excessive reassurance seeking. Children completed measures assessing insecure attachment to parents, excessive reassurance seeking, and current depressive symptoms.