INTERPERSONAL ATTACHMENT COGNITIONS AND PREDICTION OF SYMPTOMATIC RESPONSES TO INTERPERSONAL STRESS

The authors tested a cognitive-interpersonal hypothesis of depression by examining the role of interpersonal cognitions in the prediction of depression associated with interpersonal stressors. A measure of adul t attachment assessed interpersonal cognitions about ability to be clo se to others and to depend on others and anxiety about rejection and a bandonment. Participants were women who had recently graduated from hi gh school; they were followed for 1 year with extensive interview eval uation of life events, depression, and other symptomatology. Generally , cognitions, interpersonal events, and their interactions contributed to the prediction of interview-assessed depressive symptoms, but the effects were not specific to depression and predicted general symptoma tology measured by diagnostic interviews as well, and results also var ied by attachment subscale. Results were discussed in terms of a devel opmental psychopathology approach to disorders in young women.