Negative-Feedback Seeking Leads to Depressive Symptom Increases Under Conditions of Stress

Authors: Pettit J.¹; Joiner T.E.²

Source: Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 23, Number 1, March 2001 , pp. 69-74(6)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

An earlier empirical investigation found the interaction of negative-feedback seeking and roommate rejection to be predictive of increases in depressive symptoms. This study replicated and elaborated this finding. Participants who sought negative feedback and performed below their personal standard of success were more likely to experience a subsequent increase in depressive symptoms compared with all other students. Furthermore, the interaction of negative-feedback seeking and midterm failure was specific to predicting increases indepressive symptoms, and did not predict anxious symptoms, thus supporting the specificity of the model to depression. These findings suggest that negative-feedback seeking, combined with a negative life event, may place an individual at increased risk for depressive symptoms. Potential methods and consequences of disrupting the pattern of negative-feedback seeking are discussed.

Keywords: negative-feedback seeking; depression; self-verification theory

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Florida 2: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Florida; joiner@psy.fsu.edu

Publication date: 2001-03-01