Nonverbal support giving induces nonverbal support seeking in depressed patients

Nonverbal support seeking behavior of 11 mildly depressed patients was studied in relation to the nonverbal support giving behavior of a female interviewer. The patients were interviewed for 20 minutes during which the interviewer gave high and low nonverbal support for 10 minutes in a cross-over design. Different behavioral elements of the patients and of the interviewer were pooled into behavioral factors. Support seeking behavior (Speaking Effort) was significantly higher when high nonverbal support giving behavior (Encouragement) was displayed (p = .05). Also, a positive relationship between Encouragement and patients' Speech was observed (p = .04). The causal relationship between depressed patients' nonverbal support seeking behavior and an interviewer's nonverbal support giving behavior underscores an interpersonal approach of depression.