Life Events, Stress and Depression: A Review of Recent Findings
- 1 April 2002
- journal article
- review article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
- Vol. 36 (2), 173-182
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01007.x
Abstract
Objective: To review recent empirical prospective studies on the relation between life event stressors and depression. Method: A systematic literature search focusing on predictive studies was carried out from 1980 to early 2001 using Medline, Embase and PsychInfo. Results: The empirical findings for the most part support clinical impressions of the relation of stressors to depression but at the same time provide some clearer understanding in relation to differences of stressor impact on depression type and on index episode, relapse or recurrence. Twin studies now provide the strongest evidence of the relative magnitude of effect of environmental stressors and genetic factors: the former explains at least as much of the variance in depression as our genes. Conclusions: Continuing research into life events and depression have been fruitful especially those studies assessing the effect of stressors in combination with other aetiological variables such as genetic factors.Keywords
This publication has 100 references indexed in Scilit:
- Life events can trigger depressive exacerbation in the early course of schizophrenia.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2000
- The Relationship Between Stressful and Traumatic Life Events and Depression in the ElderlyCrisis, 1997
- Additive effects, but no synergistic interaction of stressful life-events and genetic loading in affective disordersJournal of Neural Transmission, 1996
- Self-Esteem as a Mediator of the Effects of Stressors and Social Resources on Depressive Symptoms in Postpartum MothersNursing Research, 1996
- Clinical characteristics associated with interpersonal depression: symptoms, course and treatment responseJournal of Affective Disorders, 1994
- Dysfunctional thinking is activated by stressful life eventsCognitive Therapy and Research, 1992
- Life Stress and Social Supports in Depressed InpatientsBehavioral Medicine, 1990
- Cognitive vulnerability to depressive symptoms among men and womenCognitive Therapy and Research, 1990
- Cognitive Mediation of Responses to Life StressBehavioral Medicine, 1989
- Dysfunctional attitudes and stressful life events: An interactive model of depressionCognitive Therapy and Research, 1987