DEPRESSIVE PERSONALITY STYLES - IMPLICATIONS FOR ADULT ATTACHMENT

The depressive personality styles described by Blatt (dependency and s elf-criticism) and Beck (sociotropy and autonomy) are thought to be as sociated with distinctive approaches to close relationships. Two studi es were conducted to examine the interpersonal correlates of Blatt and Beck's constructs using the conceptual framework of attachment theory . In Study 1, male and female undergraduates completed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), the Personal Style Inventory (PSI), C ollins and Read's (Journal of personality and Social Psychology, 58, 6 44-663, 1990) measure of adult attachment style, and measures of satis faction, trust, and self-disclosure in romantic relationships. In Stud y 2, male and female undergraduates completed the DEQ, the PSI, and a measure of the two dimensions underlying Bartholomew and Horowitz' (Jo urnal of Personlity and Social Psychology, 61, 226-244, 1991) four-cat egory attachment system. Dependency and Sociotropy were associated wit h an anxious attachment style. Self-Criticism and Autonomy were associ ated with a fearful avoidant attachment style, although Autonomy impli ed higher levels of avoidance. Similarities and differences between Bl att and Beck's constructs were discussed, and processes mediating vuln erability to dysphoria were identified.