MANIFESTATIONS OF ANGER IN CLINICALLY DEPRESSED WOMEN
Abstract
The analytic model of depression suggests that clinical depression is the product of aroused anger turned toward the self, thus away from the anger-arousing object. Therefore the primary intent of this study was to examine the extent to which inward-directed hostility and outward-directed hostility, as manifestations of aroused anger, determine clinical depression. The Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1967) was used to define level of depression and the Gottschalk-Gleser (1969) method of verbal content analysis defined the direction and intensity of verbal hostility. These measures were repeatedly administrated over several months to 11 clinically depressed women in outpatient treatment at a mental health center clinic. Each measure was also administered once to nine nonpatient women. Based on the analytic (anger) model, it was predicted that high levels of inward-directed hostility and low levels of outward-directed hostility would be exhibited in the clinically depressed women; when these individuals were no longer depressed it was predicted that they would demonstrate little intropunitive hostility but considerably higher levels of outward-directed hostility. Most of the results disconfirmed the hypotheses generated from the analytic unidimensional (anger only) model of depression. Significantly high levels of outward-directed hostility were observed in the clinically depressed women; these levels remained markedly high at the same time as there was a demonstrable downward trend in the levels of inward-directed hostility and depression. The nonpatient women demonstrated an equally high level of outward-directed hostility, with their inward-directed hostility level slightly higher than the nondepressed patients. Because the analytic model appeared disconfirmed, the depressive symptomatology and hostility scores were discussed in terms of an alternative tridimensional model of depression. This model suggests that many verbal expressions labeled 'inward-directed hostility' might be manifestations of aroused fear or reflect a lack of aroused pleasure rather than be manifestations of aroused anger. Applying this tridimensional model, it was suggested that clinical depression might be determined by a response to fear rather than to anger. Results from the depression and hostility measures were also discussed in relation to endorsements on Ilfeld's (1976) Current Social Stressors Scales. These role-related Scales were administered to patients before and after treatment and once to the nonpatient women. There appeared to be a significant relationship among their 'low self-regard' (specific Beck Depression Inventory items), their 'fears of inability to cope' (statements from verbal samples) and their perceptions of numerous role-related environmental stressors. When their self-regard appeared higher, they made more assertive nonagressive statements and endorsed fewer role-related stressor items. Finally, implications for therapy and future research were explored in light of both the analytic-anger and tridimensional-fear models of depression.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.