The response style theory: how it explains depression

This theory proposed by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema talks about the link between depression and rumination.

In psychology, many theories have been proposed to explain the origin and maintenance of depression: learning theories, cognitive, social...

Today we will know the response styles theory of Susan Nolen-Hoeksemaa cognitive-social model that alludes to the subject's ruminative style to explain the chronification of the depressive disorder.

There are people who give things a lot of thought, even going into a loop and doing absolutely nothing to remedy their problems. We are talking about a ruminative thinking style. But, how is this style of thinking related to depression? We will see it next.

Response styles theory

The theory of response styles is a theory encompassed within the cognitive-social models, which was proposed by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema (1991, 2000). by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema (1991, 2000), an American psychologist and professor at Yale University. and professor at Yale University.

When Nolen-Hoeksema initiated studies on ruminative style, she realized that ruminative thinking and depression showed no significant differences between girls and boys during childhood.

However, from adolescence onwards, the presence of both elements was double in the case of females, remaining constant during the rest of their life cycle (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991).

The author alluded to the factors that determine the course of depression. According to the theory of response styles, the way in which the subject responds to the first symptoms of depression influences its duration and severity. influences its duration and severity.

That is, the theory does not explain the origin of depression, but rather its maintenance and exacerbation.

The ruminative style in depression

The ruminative style or rumination are repetitive ideas about one's own sadness, its causes and possible consequences. It is a predictor of some psychopathologies and is linked to depression, as stated by Nolen-Hoeksema.

In addition, it can be considered a type of coping strategy in situations of stress and discomfort, although it is considered dysfunctional and maladaptive, even having consequences as serious as suicide in extreme cases..

According to the response style theory, once depression is present, focusing attention on the symptoms and their implications, without doing anything to alleviate them (i.e., manifesting a ruminative response style) will maintain or exacerbate depressive symptoms.

This style is the opposite of an active style based on distraction or problem solving, which in this case, would be functional and adaptive.

Numerous experimental and field studies support S. Nolen-Hoeksema's theory, and affirm that a ruminative response style in a subject increases the likelihood that a depressive mood will escalate into a depressive disorder.even developing into a depressive disorder.

Mechanisms of the ruminative style

The theory of response styles proposes a series of mechanisms that explain the negative effects of rumination. mechanisms that explain the negative effects of the ruminative style.They are the following:

1. Vicious circles

Vicious circles are produced between the depressed mood and the negative cognitions. negative cognitions associated with depression.

These two elements influence each other and feed back, causing the depression to become chronic and accentuate.

2. Decreased generation of effective solutions

The generation of solutions aimed at solving the underlying problems is practically nil.

Thus, the subject does nothing or practically nothing to solve his or her situation, he or she simply "turns" his or her mind over and over again.He/she simply "thinks about" what is happening to him/her, without reaching any conclusion or putting any solution into practice.

3. Interference with instrumental behaviors

The ruminative style interferes negatively in the application of instrumental behaviors that would provide reinforcement and a sense of control to the subject.

That is to say, rumination will hinder the generation and implementation of such behaviors; in this way, the subject will will enter a state of helplessness and hopelessness that will lead him/her to "do nothing". that will lead him/her to "do nothing".

4. Weakening of social support

Social support is reduced or disappears, due to the patient's behavior, which and rejection by family and friends..

Origin of the ruminative style

The ruminative style as proposed by the theory of response styles originates from learning in childhood, through modeling and certain socialization practices, which do not provide a repertoire that do not provide a repertoire of more adaptive behaviors.

Results in experimental studies

Ruminative responses (ruminative style) have been investigated in experimental studies, and the following effects of having a ruminative thinking style have been observed:

• Increased negative and global attributions.
• Increased accessibility of negative memories.
• Pessimism and biased negative interpretations..
• Generation of poorer interpersonal solutions.

On the other hand, it has also been seen how rumination can be a predictor of anxious symptomatology, in addition to depressive symptomatology, in individuals with or without pre-existing depression.

Bibliographical references:

• Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Response to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 569-582.
• Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 504-511.
• Belloch, A.; Sandín, B. and Ramos, F. (2010). Manual de Psicopatología. Volume I and II. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• García, R., Valencia, A., Hernández-Martínez, A., Rocha, T. (2017). Ruminative thinking and depression among college students: rethinking the impact of gender. Revista Interamericana de Psicologia/Interamerican Journal of Psychology (IJP), 51(3), 406-416.