ISSN:
1573-3270
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The present study tested the hypothesis that perceived control results in reduced depressive cognitions. Subjects were divided into two groups, high and low in depressive cognitions (HDC and LDC) based on their scores on a Depression Scale. Subjects (HDC and LDC) were assigned randomly to one of the following treatment conditions: contingent feedback (CF), noncontingent (yoked) feedback (YF), or no feedback (NF) in pulse-rate (PR) regulation. Half the subjects were instructed to decrease (D) and half were instructed to increase (I) PR. The study consisted of three sessions spaced one week apart. Each session was comprised of a three-minute baseline (nonfeedback) trial followed by a 15-minute experimental session. After each experimental session, subjects completed a questionnaire which assessed how well they felt they regulated PR, and the extent to which they attributed such regulation to their ability, effort, the difficulty or ease of the task, and luck. After three sessions, subjects were posttested on the Depression Scale. Results indicated that a significant, though small, reduction in depressive cognitions occurred for CF and YF subjects who were instructed to decrease PR, and this effect was mediated by subjects attributing PR regulation to ability and effort. Results are discussed in terms of the effect that perceived control may have on attributions and reported depression. Also, limitations regarding the generalizability of the findings to a clinical population are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00999296
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