WHY DO PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE DEPRESSED - THE REASONS FOR DEPRESSION QUESTIONNAIRE

The reasons for depression questionnaire (RFD) was constructed to meas ure the explanations people give for being depressed. In the first stu dy presented, items were generated and administered to a large undergr aduate sample to evaluate internal consistency and derive a preliminar y factor structure. Principal components analyses yielded 8 internally consistent subscales including characterological, achievement, interp ersonal conflict, intimacy, existential, childhood, physical, and rela tionship oriented reasons for depression. In the second study, the RFD was administered to a clinically depressed sample along with addition al measures of functioning in specific areas. Specific RFD scales were generally associated with measures of functioning in corresponding do mains. For example, people who attributed their depression to a lack o f intimacy or relationship problems, reported higher degrees of marita l distress. Characterological reasons were associated with the tendenc y to offer global and stable reasons for other problems. The results a re discussed with regard to the potential use of the RFD in case conce ptualization and psychotherapy research.