A Stress-Diathesis Model of Depression: Examining Self-Compassion and Savoring

<p>Depression is a prevalent public health problem, with approximately 6.4% of Americans suffering from the condition each year. Emerging adults are especially vulnerable to depression, as approximately 25% of individuals from age 18-25 have reported experiencing at least one depressive episode. Considering the literature is replete with studies examining etiological components of depression, it surprising that few studies have examined the role of intrapersonal resources in the onset and maintenance of depressive symptoms. The current study sought to investigate depression in the context of intrapersonal resources in two important ways. First, the study examined the protective qualities of intrapersonal resources such as self-compassion and savoring in the prediction of depression across time. Second, the current study sought to determine if self-compassion and savoring could mediate the relationship between stressful life events and depression. The study attempted to answer these questions through a two-wave longitudinal design. One hundred and forty-four undergraduate students (121 women, 22 men) participated in this study. Participants completed two online surveys, five weeks apart. The results indicated that self-compassion and savoring were significant predictors of depression over time. Furthermore, these variables significantly mediated the relationship between stressful life events and depression. Thus, the results provide some preliminary support for the protective qualities of self-compassion and savoring in terms of mitigating the onset of depression. A review and discussion of theoretical and practical considerations are offered.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Experimental Psychology (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ford, Justin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shauna Joye
• Lawrence Locker

• ETD
• Light Emitting Diode Therapy
• Fatigue
• Performance
• MVIC
• Eccentric
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1222

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-2283