ORALITY AND DEPRESSION IN PSYCHIATRIC-INPATIENTS

Psychoanalytic theory and previous research on oral dependence both suggest that an oral-dependent character style is associated with increased risk for depression. The present study examined the relationship of orality to three separate measures of depression in a sample of 40 psychiatric inpatients (20 males and 20 females). A significant, positive relationship was found between level of orality and depression scores for male patients but not for females. These findings are discussed in the context of traditional psychoanalytic theory, object relations theory, and previous research in these areas. Suggestions for future studies are offered.