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Three cognitive theories of depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Paul Bebbington
Paul Bebbington*
Affiliation:
MRC Social Psychiatry Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Paul Bebbington, MRC Social Psychiatry Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

The cognitive theories of depression put forward by Beck and his colleagues (1980), Brown & Harris (1978) and Abramson and her colleagues (1978) are described and compared. Although each theory has its strengths, it is argued that an adequate cognitive account of depression is awaited. Such a theory must link specific experiences with each of the cognitive themes of depression, and the links postulated should be specific to depression. Refinements of description and method are required before such a theory can be tested.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , November 1985 , pp. 759 - 769
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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