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Interpersonal functioning deficits: temporary or stable characteristics of depressed individuals?
Scharles Cercy Petty1, Natalie Sachs-Ericsson, Thomas E Joiner
1Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|August 13, 2004
Summary
Interpersonal skill deficits in depression appear to be both stable and temporary. Early-onset depression may cause lasting interpersonal scarring, impacting individuals long-term.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Interpersonal skill deficits are linked to depression, but their nature remains unclear.
- This study investigates if these deficits are temporary symptoms or stable traits in depression-prone individuals.
- A large general population sample (N=4749) was utilized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if interpersonal skill deficits are a transient symptom of depression or a persistent characteristic.
- To differentiate between state and trait aspects of interpersonal functioning in relation to depression history.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional comparison of interpersonal functioning (IF).
- Groups included never depressed, currently depressed, recently remitted, and remitted depressives.
- Analysis focused on IF differences across these depression history groups.
Main Results:
- Significant association found between interpersonal functioning difficulties and current depression.
- State effects of depression on IF were evident.
- Limited evidence of long-term 'scarring' from repeated depression, except possibly with early onset.
Conclusions:
- Interpersonal functioning deficits in depression show both stable and temporary characteristics.
- Early-onset depression may lead to more enduring interpersonal deficits.
- While depression can impact IF, the long-term effects are not consistently observed across all individuals.