Causal explanations of depression and treatment credibility in adults with untreated depression: Examining attribution theory

被引:24
|
作者
Zimmermann, Martha [1 ]
Papa, Anthony [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Nevada, Dept Psychol, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557 USA
关键词
attribution theory; causal explanations; depression; depression aetiology; treatment credibility; COGNITIVE THERAPY; UNITED-STATES; MENTAL-DISORDERS; DIMENSION SCALE; CONSEQUENCES; PERCEPTIONS; MEDICATIONS; MOTIVATION; SYMPTOMS; MODERATE;
D O I
10.1111/papt.12247
中图分类号
B849 [应用心理学];
学科分类号
040203 ;
摘要
Objectives Understanding depression as biologically caused has been shown to impact both treatment preferences and prognostic pessimism. Attribution theory has been posited as an explanation for this relationship. Given that evidence-based psychotherapy is effective yet often not delivered to individuals with depression, the present study sought to determine factors that impact treatment credibility. Design Non-treatment-seeking, depressed individuals (n = 229) were randomly assigned to read a psychoeducation article about depression that consisted of a biological causal explanation, psychosocial causal explanation, or a non-causal control. Methods Attributional dimensions of locus, stability, and control were examined as mediating the relationship between causal explanation and treatment credibility and prognostic pessimism. Results Individuals in the biological condition were more likely to find antidepressant medication a credible treatment for depression. The manipulation had no direct effect on preference for psychotherapy or prognostic pessimism. Attributional dimensions of locus, stability, and control did not mediate the relationship between causal explanation and treatment credibility. To the extent that the psychosocial article increased perceived instability of the depression cause, however, prognostic pessimism was reduced. Conclusions The present study has implications for framing education about depression in mental health literacy programs and public awareness campaigns. Practitioner points This study found that conceptualizing depression as biologically caused increased the credibility of medication but not psychotherapy Participants reading a biological explanation of depression demonstrated an increase on some aspects of stigma and prognostic pessimism Emphasizing the person-environment interaction rather than biological causes decreased the perceived stability of depression which was associated with a decrease in prognostic pessimism
引用
收藏
页码:537 / 554
页数:18
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