Sociotropy, Autonomy, and Self-Discrepancy: Status in Depressed, Remitted Depressed, and Control Participants

Examined the status of sociotropy, autonomy, and self-discrepancy in 28 clinically depressed (mean age 37.5 yrs), 20 remitted depressed (mean age 37 yrs), and 20 control individuals (mean age 30 yrs). Results from the Personal Style Inventory (PSI; C. J. Robins et al, 1990) and the Selves Questionnaire (E. T. Higgins et al, 1986) indicated that depressed, remitted, and control participants differed significantly in their levels of sociotropy, autonomy, and actual–ideal discrepancy. Depressed Ss evidencing the highest levels of these variables, remitted Ss the next highest, and control Ss the lowest. Both sociotropy and autonomy were significantly correlated with actual–ideal discrepancy. Each of the 3 variables studied accounted for unique variance in current depression. Together they accounted for 48% of the variance in depression scores. This study provides support for the relation of sociotropy, autonomy, and actual–ideal discrepancy to depression, and suggests a need for greater attention to issues of availability and accessibility in the area of depression research.