Tending the Wilted Flower: The Role of Psychological Need Fulfillment in Treatment for Depression
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: The present research integrated the principles of self-determination theory (e.g. Deci Ryan, 2000) with the cognitive mediation model of depression (e.g. Whisman, 1993). Participants with a SCID-IV diagnosis for major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to 16 weeks of cognitive therapy or anti-depressant medication. They also completed indices of depression severity, neuroticism, and psychological need fulfillment, at four assessment points (pre-treatment, week 4, week 8, and week 16). Psychological need fulfillment increased over the course of treatment and was negatively correlated with depression severity. Increases in psychological need fulfillment predicted decreases in depression severity over and above the effects of time, neuroticism, and negative cognitions. The temporal association between changes in psychological need fulfillment was bidirectional, and significantly more pronounced in the cognitive therapy condition. The association between changes in psychological need fulfillment and changes in depression severity was not mediated by reduced negative cognitions.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Matthew N. Quitasol
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2612945089