The expression of cognitive vulnerabilities for depression in daily life: a French-American study

This prospective study provided a direct comparison of French and American samples concerning a cognitive diathesis for depression. Using the Experien ce Sampling Method and identical measures across sites, subjects were signa led five times daily by electronic devices to provide in vivo reports of ne gative events, attributions, and depressed moods. After controlling for eff ects associating clinical and demographic variables, and despite difference s attributable to national origin, attributional style emerged as a highly significant predictor of the numerous specific attributions made to negativ e events within the course of daily life. However, consistent with the cogn itive mediation hypothesis, attributional style did not directly explain de pression levels. The results are discussed in terms of the predictive power of cognitive and personality assessments in understanding the day-to-day e xperience of depression. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsev ier SAS.