Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
12:55
Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
Published on: September 27, 2020
Self-other representations mediate the relationship between Five-Factor Model depression and depressive states.
Steven K Huprich1, Gregory S Pouliot, Reino Bruner
1Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Science Complex, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA. shuprich@emich.edu
Psychiatry
|May 31, 2012
Summary
Individuals with trait depression may experience more depressive episodes, influenced by how they perceive themselves and others. Object relations, specifically alienation and insecure attachment, partially mediate this link, impacting depressive mood shifts.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Trait depression is a known risk factor for recurrent depressive episodes.
- Perceptions of self and others (object relations) may also influence depressive episode frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if object relations mediate the relationship between trait depression and current depressive states.
- To examine the role of object relations in predicting depressive lability.
Main Methods:
- 182 psychiatric outpatients were assessed for Five-Factor Model depressive traits, depressive states, and object relations.
- Utilized the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI).
Main Results:
- Trait depression significantly predicted variance in current depressive states (BDI-II scores).
- Alienation and Insecure Attachment dimensions of the BORRTI partially mediated the trait-state depression relationship.
- Insecure Attachment and Egocentricity scales of the BORRTI fully mediated the link between trait depression and depressive lability.
Conclusions:
- Object relations, particularly insecure attachment and alienation, play a mediating role in the development and recurrence of depressive episodes.
- Understanding self-other representations offers a more nuanced view of factors contributing to mood variability in depression.
- These findings support the potential inclusion of self-other representations in diagnostic criteria like DSM-5.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
02:08Trait and State Self-Esteem
The term self-esteem is often used generically, to refer to how people feel about themselves. However, according to research, there are three distinct constructs that should not be used interchangeably (Brown & Marshall, 2006).
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...