The Relationship Between Depression and Reinforcing Events in Cancer Patients

Abstract

The depressive symptoms of 53 newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving radiation thera y and the relationship of these symptoms to Lewinsohn's behavioral mode P of depression were investigated. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); it was found that over three-quarters of the patients were not depressed. The results of multiple regression analyses were consistent with Lewinsohn's model. Unpleasant and pleasant events cross-products accounted for a significant amount of the variance in the BDI scores. The subscales of unpleasant events that most strongly correlated with depression were (1) perceptions that others were dissatisfied with them, (2) perceptions that others were infringing on them, and (3) concerns over poor work performance. The subscales of pleasant events that inversely correlated most strongly with depression were feelings of good health and leisure-time activities.