Attributional style and defense mechanisms: A synthesis of cognitive and psychodynamic factors in depression

In a study involving 160 undergraduates, we rested the hypothesis that attr ibutional style and defense style would have interactive effects on depress ive symptoms. Consistent with this hypothesis, both negative attributional style and low defense maturity were associated with depressive symptoms, bo th as main effects and in interaction. Negative attributional style was ass ociated with depressive symptoms primarily when accompanied by low defense maturity. The presence of a positive attributional style reduced the relati on between low defense maturity and depressive symptoms, and the presence o f high defense maturity reduced the relation between a negative attribution al style and depressive symptoms. In addition, high defense immaturity was shown to be a possible mediator of the relation between negative attributio nal style and depressive symptoms. Clinical implications for psychotherapy integration are discussed. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons. inc., J Clin Psychol 56. 723-735. 2000.