TOWARD A CATEGORIZATION OF DEPRESSION-RELATED PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTS

We conducted two factor-analytic studies of eight depression-related c onstructs (internal, stable, and global dimensions of attributional st yle, dysfunctional attitudes, self-esteem reassurance-seeking, and cog nitive and somatic depressed symptoms) among 673 undergraduates. Study 1's exploratory factor analysis revealed that the attributional stabi lity and globality dimensions comprised an Attributional Generality fa ctor; that dysfunctional attitudes and self-esteem loaded onto a separ ate factor labeled Self-Regard; and that cognitive and somatic depress ed symptoms made up their own separate factor which also included self -esteem. Study 2's LISREL confirmatory factor analyses confirmed Study 1's findings. Results on attributional internality and reassurance-se eking were equivocal. We discuss the implications of the results for d epression theory and research.