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Effects of induced elated and depressed mood on self‐focused attention
Author(s) -
Carr Sally J.,
Teasdale John D.,
Broadbent Donald
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8260.1991.tb00948.x
Subject(s) - psychology , depressed mood , mood , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , converse , negative mood , developmental psychology , geometry , mathematics , economics , macroeconomics
Recent accounts of depression propose a central role for increased self‐focus in the onset and maintenance of depression. The present study investigated whether there might also be a converse effect of depressed mood increasing self‐focus. A state measure of self‐focused attention was administered to normal subjects before and after induction of depressed or happy mood. Compared to happy subjects, depressed subjects showed more negative and less positive self‐focus. Positive and negative external focus were unaffected by mood. A reciprocally reinforcing relationship between depressed mood and negative self‐focus may be important in onset and maintenance of depression.