There are many theories to explain depression. One of the most complete is Lewinsohn’s (1985) self-focus theory, a behavioral-cognitive theory focused on explaining the origin, maintenance and aggravation of depression.
Behavioral-cognitive theories focus on the personal variance of the Person x Situation interaction, and include cognitive processes among their elements.
So, let’s see what Lewinsohn’s theory consists of, as well as its most important characteristics.
Lewinsohn’s self-focus theory: general characteristics
We know that depression is a mental disorder that affects the way we think, live and feel Thus, in most cases, we know that it originates from a set of events, both external and internal. This, in addition to other factors, is maintained by certain behavioral patterns that we perpetuate and that allow this depressive state.
In his theory, Lewinsohn posits environmental factors as primarily responsible for depression; However, he also talks about cognitive factors that mediate this appearance, maintenance and aggravation. That is, for him cognitive factors are mediators of depression, as we will see later.
The main mediating factor is increased self-awareness. Lewinsohn defines self-focus as a transitory and situational state where the person focuses on themselves or the amount of attention the person directs toward themselves rather than toward the environment.
chain of events
Lewinsohn’s Self-Focusing Theory proposes that the development of events is as follows.
First an antecedent event appears. This event increases the probability of a future depression or stressor occurring. Thus, there is a disruption of adaptive patterns of behavior and the person is unable to develop other patterns to replace the previous ones.
This generates a negative emotional reaction the intensity of which depends on two factors: the importance of the event to the person, and the level of interruption in daily life.
Thus, a negative imbalance is generated in relation to the quality of the person’s interactions with their environment, which results in a decrease in positive reinforcement and an increase in the rate of aversive experiences.
Critical mediating factors
In summary, Lewinsohn’s self-focus theory of depression proposes that in the chain of events that leads to the onset of a depressive episode the critical factors that mediate the effects of reduced rate of positive reinforcement on depression are:
High self-awareness
More specifically, Lewinsohn proposes that two elements are added to generate elevated self-awareness: on the one hand, the aforementioned negative emotional response, together with the negative impact due to the person’s failure to nullify the consequences of stress. So, This sum originates a heightened state of consciousness
This self-awareness determines the origin of three factors: cognitive alterations, negative behavioral consequences and the intensification of previous emotional reactions.
The increase in self-awareness, together with an intensification of negative emotions, causes in the person a reduction in self-esteem and a series of cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes that correlate with depression. In turn, these changes exacerbate self-consciousness, creating a vicious cycle that maintains and aggravates depression.
Characteristics that predispose to depression
Lewinsohn’s Self-Focusing Theory proposes a series of predisposing characteristics that increase the risk of a depressive episode or depressive disorder These are:
Protective factors
On the other hand, Lewinsohn also proposes in his model a series of protective factors against depression These are basically three:
On the other hand, Lewinsohn’s Self-Focusing Theory also specifies the existence of feedback loops that determine the level of severity and duration of a depressive episode.
On the other hand, a depressed state of mind is considered necessary to produce the negative consequences of depression; This depressed state of mind, therefore, plays a central role.
