Associations between primary appraisals and life-events while controlling for depression

Authors: Ferguson E.; Lawrence C.; Matthews G.

Source: British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Volume 39, Number 2, June 2000 , pp. 143-155(13)

Purchase options

Article Access Options

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$24.40 plus tax      Refund Policy

OR

 
More like this?
Article access options

Post to: del.icio.us Furl CiteUlike Connotea Bibsonomy

Abstract:

Objectives. The main objective of this paper was to explore the associations between life-events and primary appraisals (threat, challenge and loss) controlling for depression. It was predicted that specific associations between life-events and primary appraisals would remain once depression had been partialled. A subgoal of this paper was to develop a content analytic coding frame for student life-events. Design. This study was a retrospective survey in which participants provided accounts of recent stressful encounters, and completed indices of primary appraisals and depression. Method. The participants were 979 undergraduates who provided descriptions of life-events. A subsample of 391 provided additional information on primary appraisals and depression. The primary outcomes were the partial correlations between life-events and primary appraisals. Results. There were significant associations between life-events and primary appraisals above and beyond variance explained by depression. Results also indicated that the definition of loss appraisals could be extended to include events that were related to anticipated future loss, especially if the event was also perceived as threatening. Also certain self-defined negative life-events were appraised as positive. Life-events were shown to vary systematically as a function of external constraints (e.g. stage of the academic year). Conclusions. A variety of events were associated with loss appraisals and this may have implications for risk factors in depression.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

The requested document is freely available to subscribers. Users without a subscription can purchase this article.

Sign in



 

 

Back to top

Journals Home | Accessibility | Text Only | Site Map | Contact Us | BPS Website

© Copyright 2000-2008 The British Psychological Society
The British Psychological Society is a charity registered in England and Wales, Registration Number : 229642 and a charity registered in Scotland, Registration Number : SC039452 - VAT Registration Number : 240 3937 76

End Page