Word valence, attention, and hemispheric activity in depressed, remitted, and nondepressed controls

Clinically depressed (n = 20), previously depressed (n = 28): and nondepres sed control (n = 27) individuals, classified according, to a structured cli nical diagnostic interview, participated in a study employing a modified pr int entry (Titchener, 1908) procedure to investigate interrelationships amo ng word (adjective) valence, visual attention, and cerebral hemispheric act ivity. Overall, positive words were selected more quickly when presented to the right, versus left, visual field (RVF, LVF); the opposite pattern was observed fur negative words. While where was no significant group X Valence X Visual Field interaction, planned comparisons revealed that tile aforeme ntioned Valence X Visual Field interaction was significant only for the non depressed control group. Although the remitted group exhibited an overall p attern similar to the control group. the depressed group evinced a pattern in the opposite direction For positive words (i.e., quicker in the LVF than the RVF). (C) 2001 Academic Press.