Cognitive and behavioral correlates of depression in learning-disabled and nonlearning-disabled adult students

Cognitive and behavioral correlates of depression were examined in 33 learning-disabled (LD) and 99 nonlearning-disabled (NLD) adult students. Self-reported depressive symptomatology was significantly correlated with dysfunctional cognitions and reinforcement level in LD students. LD students reported engaging in significantly more unpleasant activities and experiencing significantly less pleasure than NLD students. There was a nonsignificant trend for LD students to report more depression than NLD students. These results are discussed in the context of cognitive and behavioral theories of depression.