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Oral pessimism and depressive symptoms
1Department of Psychology, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Psychology
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Oral pessimism, a personality trait, is linked to higher depressive symptoms. This study supports the psychoanalytic theory that fixation during the oral stage of psychosexual development contributes to depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Psychoanalytic Theory
Background:
- Psychoanalytic theory posits that fixation in early psychosexual stages, specifically the oral stage, may predispose individuals to depression.
- Oral personality traits, characterized by optimism or pessimism, are explored in relation to mental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between oral optimistic and pessimistic personality traits and the presence of depressive symptoms.
- To empirically test the psychoanalytic hypothesis linking oral stage fixation to depression.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 140 college students completed the Oral Optimism Questionnaire (OOQ), Oral Pessimism Questionnaire (OPQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
- Correlational analyses were performed to examine the associations between oral pessimism, oral optimism, and depression scores.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between oral pessimism and depressive symptoms.
- Students with clinically significant depressive symptoms exhibited higher scores on the Oral Pessimism Questionnaire.
- Specific items from the Beck Depression Inventory and Oral Pessimism Questionnaire showed significant inter-correlations.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the psychoanalytic claim that fixation at the oral pessimism stage is associated with depressive symptoms.
- Oral pessimism may serve as a psychological marker for vulnerability to depression.