Core Beliefs and History of Major Depressive Episodes in Currently Non-depressed University Students

The current study examined the association between negative core beliefs and a past history of major depressive episodes (MDE) in currently non-depressed university students. Sixty-three university students completed self-report measures assessing current depressive symptoms. They also completed a semi-structured interview assessing current and past histories of MDE. The presence of negative core beliefs was identified through an examination of participants' life stories. Negative core beliefs were associated with a past history of MDE in non-disordered participants. Further, analyses revealed that the content domains of (1) disconnection/rejection and (2) overvigilance/inhibition were significantly associated with a past history of MDE whereas the content domains of (1) impaired autonomy/performance, (2) impaired limits, and (3) other-directedness were not. Findings provide preliminary support for recent theoretical models highlighting the potential importance of core beliefs in the etiology of depression.