Influence of symptom-related vs. distractive attention focus on the problem-orientation of subclinically depressed persons in interpersonal situations

Background: Aspects of the problem orientation for depressive as compared t o nondepressive subjects were investigated referring to the problem-solving model of Nezu, Nezu and Perri (1989) and the "Response-Style" approach by Nolen-Hoeksema (1991). Objective: The assumption was tested that deficits i n problem orientation that are characteristic for depressed persons occur e specially with a ruminative attention focus and are ameliorated with a dist ractive attention focus. Methods: For half of the subclinically depressed ( n = 30) and nondepressed (n = 40) subjects, a ruminative or distractive att ention focus was induced. Subjects were then asked to relive five aversive/ ambiguous interpersonal problem situations. For each problem situation vari ous aspects of the problem orientation were assessed via questionnaire. Res ults: The expected differences between subclinically depressed and non-depr essed subjects occurred for problem attribution, problem evaluation, expect ed control, and approach tendency, but not for subjective importance, gener al controllability, and avoidance tendency. Contrary to the expectations of Nolen-Hoeksema (1991), results did not change in dependence of the attenti on focus induced. Conclusions: The expected deficits in the problem orienta tion of depressed persons were demonstrated. There was no effect of the ind uced ruminative vs, distractive attention focus. Maybe attention focus must be seen as a dispositional trait rather than a current state and thus cann ot be easily changed by short experimental manipulations.