Assessing feelings reported by depressives in research investigations

This paper evaluates four propositions as part of a long-term investigation of already published data. The aim of the investigation is to see whether there might be self-reported feelings uniquely related to clinical depression. The propositions are: (i) indices of strength of association are a necessary addition to conventional tests of significance; (ii) the degree of complexity of scales used to rate feelings is quantifiable and can throw light upon research findings, (iii) the form and content of the communication of feelings can largely account for important discrepancies in research findings; and (iv) feelings expressed referentially are weakly associated with clinical depression. The re-examination of a set of already published data produced a confirmation of propositions (i) and (ii) and partial but constructive negations of propositions (iii) and (iv).