etiology

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on MDD

Genetic Mapping

Modern research in genetics now focuses on genetic mapping, especially using DNA markers to try and identify the gene or genes involved in MDD, aided by The Human Genome Project.

Caspi et al. (2003)

Found that individuals with the 5-HTT short allele who experienced more stressful life events were more likely to develop depression, suggesting a gene-environment interaction.

Negative Self-Schemas

Aaron Beck argued that MDD is rooted in a patient’s automatic thoughts - negative self-schemas organized around themes of failure, inadequacy, loss, & worthlessness.

Negative cognitive triad

Beck's theory of depression has 3 components - The negative cognitive triad: depressed patients have negative views of the(m) self , the world & the future

Rumination

Repetitively going over a thought or a problem without completion. When people are depressed, the themes of rumination are typically about being inadequate or worthless.

Nolen-Hoeksema Aim

To conduct a prospective study on the role of rumination in the development of depression symptoms over time.

Nolen-Hoeksema (2000)

Found that women are more likely than men to engage in ruminative thinking, which is linked to longer and more severe episodes of depression. This suggests that cognitive patterns contribute to the development and maintenance of depression.

Vulnerability Model of Depression

Suggests three types of factors that determine the risk of depression: Protective factors, vulnerability factors, and provoking agents

Protective Factors

Decrease the risk of depression, and can help a person overcome life challenges and stressful events. Examples include: Close relationships with other people & Strong sense of community

Vulnerability factors

Increase the risk of depression and can cause a person to be especially susceptible to life challenges and stressful events. Examples include: Unemployment & Social isolation

Brown and Harris Aim

To investigate how depression is linked to social factors and stressful life events in women.

Brown and Harris (1978)

Found that women who had experienced severe life events, particularly those with a lack of social support, were more likely to develop depression. This highlights the role of environmental stressors and social factors in the onset of the disorder.

Prevalence Rates of MDD

Problematic because diagnosis is not always reliable across cultures. Symptoms may be different for the same disorder in different cultures

Gender variation in prevalence

Nolen-Hoeksema claims women are about twice as likely as men to develop MDD with women's lifetime prevalence for MDD in the USA found to be 21.3% compared to 12.7% for men.

Amenson and Lewinsohn Aim

To explain why there is a higher prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in women than in men and whether men might be less willing to come forward for diagnosis.

Cultural Variations - MDD Prevalence

Significant cultural variations exist in the prevalence of MDD, potentially reflecting true differences or variations in understanding, diagnosis, and reporting across cultures.

Weissman Aim

To investigate cross-cultural variation in the lifetime prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) across 10 different countries and identify factors influencing these differences.

Weisman et al. (1996)

Found large differences in depression rates across ten countries, ranging from 1.5% in Taiwan to 19% in Lebanon, despite some countries experiencing similar levels of hardship. However, consistent patterns—such as higher rates in women and divorced individuals—emerged across cultures.