Stress Generation Research in Depression: A Commentary

The concept of stress generation is a powerful tool that is consistent with existing cognitive-behavioral theories of depression. In this brief commentary on the literature on stress generation in depression, we highlight several issues that we believe will help to advance the stress generation field. Specifically, we discuss important methodological considerations, issues related to generality and specificity, and theoretical and clinical implications of stress generation. We then address common misperceptions of the stress generation hypothesis. Finally, we end by posing several questions about the mechanisms driving stress generation that should be addressed in future research. Advancing the field's knowledge about stress generation will yield a tangible direction for theory-driven, targeted intervention. Our hope is that this commentary will help to stimulate and frame future research in this exciting area.