First onset versus recurrence of depression: Differential processes of psychosocial risk

Differential risk factors for the onset of depression were prospectively ex amined in a community-based sample of adolescents (N = 1,709), some of whom had a history of major depressive disorder (MDD; it = 286) and some of who m did not (n = 1,423). From the theories of J. Teasdale (1983, 1988) and R. Post (1992) concerning the etiology of initial versus recurrent episodes o f depression, the authors hypothesized that (a) dysphoric mood and dysfunct ional thinking styles would be correlated more highly among those with a pr evious history of MDD than among those without a history of MDD; (b) dyspho ric mood or symptoms and dysfunctional thinking would be a stronger predict or of onset of recurrent episodes (n = 43) than of first onsets (n = 70); a nd (c) major life stress would be a stronger predictor of first onsets of M DD than of recurrent episodes. The results provide support for the 3 hypoth eses and suggest that distinct processes are involved in the onset of first and recurrent episodes of MDD.