Depression-related negative cognition: Mood-state and trait dependent properties

This study tested the state-trait model of negative cognition ( D. C. Zuroff, S. J. Blatt, C. A. Sanislow, C. M. Bondi, & P. A. Pilkonis, 1999) among people who were hospitalized for depression (N = 121). Assessments of cognitive bias, dysfunctional attitudes, and depression severity were completed during psychiatric hospitalization, following a 6-month course of outpatient treatment, and 1 year after completion of outpatient treatment. Mean-score change, test - retest correlation, and path analysis examined whether dysfunctional attitudes and cognitive bias were influenced by fluctuations in mood-state while also demonstrating relative stability over time. Results indicated that concurrent depression severity and prior level of negative cognition both uniquely influenced level of dysfunctional attitudes and cognitive bias during treatment and follow-up periods. As predicted by the state-trait model, negative cognition had dynamic, mood-state dependent properties, as well as stable, trait-like attributes.