[Existential events and depression. Comparative study of several types of depressed patients]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of life events and depression with a special emphasis on their impact (assessed through a 0-100 point scale) on psychopathological risk. In order to assess this influence, three groups of 50 depressed patients and three groups of 50 controls filled up a 53 items life stressfull events schedule. Results show that the way in which life events were construed is more relevant than their actual number in explaining the subject vulnerability as well as in predicting high risk subjects.