TY - JOUR
T1 - The relations between pleasurable emotions and depression
T2 - Exploring the potential significance of contentment
AU - Eckland, Nathaniel S.
AU - Nzinga, Bienvenu
AU - Leipow, Rachel
AU - Berenbaum, Howard
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/3/15
Y1 - 2021/3/15
N2 - Background: Previous research has found that the diminished ability to experience pleasure is a common feature of depression, but has not examined whether depression is associated equally strongly with the different types of pleasurable emotions. Contentment, which has been found to be especially strongly associated with life satisfaction and is associated with a sense of completeness or completion, was expected to be especially relevant to depression. Methods: In two studies, participants (N = 70, and N = 109), who were receiving outpatient treatment, completed self-report measures of depression, contentment, tranquility, and cheerfulness. Worry and suicidality were also measured, in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. Results: As hypothesized: (a) contentment was associated as strongly with depression as was cheerfulness; (b) contentment was more strongly associated with depression than was tranquility; (c) contentment was more strongly associated with depression than it was with worry; and (d) contentment was associated with suicidality even after taking into account depression severity, cheerfulness and tranquility. Limitations: The present research relied on self-report. Because both studies employed cross-sectional designs, conclusions regarding causality cannot be drawn. Conclusions: Contentment is associated with depression, even after taking into account other pleasurable emotions. The present findings raise the possibility that attending to different types of pleasurable emotions, such as contentment, may be important for understanding the different potential pathways to depression, and may be capable of predicting differential responses to alternative treatments for depression.
AB - Background: Previous research has found that the diminished ability to experience pleasure is a common feature of depression, but has not examined whether depression is associated equally strongly with the different types of pleasurable emotions. Contentment, which has been found to be especially strongly associated with life satisfaction and is associated with a sense of completeness or completion, was expected to be especially relevant to depression. Methods: In two studies, participants (N = 70, and N = 109), who were receiving outpatient treatment, completed self-report measures of depression, contentment, tranquility, and cheerfulness. Worry and suicidality were also measured, in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. Results: As hypothesized: (a) contentment was associated as strongly with depression as was cheerfulness; (b) contentment was more strongly associated with depression than was tranquility; (c) contentment was more strongly associated with depression than it was with worry; and (d) contentment was associated with suicidality even after taking into account depression severity, cheerfulness and tranquility. Limitations: The present research relied on self-report. Because both studies employed cross-sectional designs, conclusions regarding causality cannot be drawn. Conclusions: Contentment is associated with depression, even after taking into account other pleasurable emotions. The present findings raise the possibility that attending to different types of pleasurable emotions, such as contentment, may be important for understanding the different potential pathways to depression, and may be capable of predicting differential responses to alternative treatments for depression.
KW - Cheerfulness
KW - Contentment, tranquility
KW - Depression
KW - Suicidality
KW - Worry
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.067
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.067
M3 - Article
C2 - 33571793
AN - SCOPUS:85100579707
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 283
SP - 249
EP - 253
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
ER -