The effect of cumulative trauma and polarised thinking on severity of depressive disorder

Over recent decades, there has been more evidence of the connection between trauma and depression. More research is needed on the relationship between different types of trauma and their combination (cumulative trauma) with respect to the severity of depressive symptoms. The extent to which trauma and cognitive processes that manifest as polarised or 'black and white' thinking affect the severity of depression has yet to be explored.

The objective of this research was to examine the impact of cumulative trauma and polarised thinking on the severity of depressive symptoms.

In total, 172 patients, mostly women, with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymia (or both) were evaluated using the Cumulative Trauma Scale. The Repertory Grid Technique was used to measure polarised thinking, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms.

The severity of depressive symptoms was strongly associated with a high level of polarised thinking and a high frequency of perceived negative trauma.

Our findings underscore the need to address polarised thinking and trauma (when present) as a target of interventions aimed at reducing depression symptoms.