Object Relations Theory of Depression

What is it about?

The current study investigated a particular aspect shared by a number of theories of depression under the common heading of object relations theory (ORT), namely that depression is associated with a continuing pattern of poor attachment that is laid out in childhood and continues into adulthood. The study examined the relationship between attachment (both parental and peer) and depressive symptoms in young adults of Northern Ireland. Results provided support for the continuity of perceptions of attachment styles across the life span and revealed that perceptions of early attachment experiences, as well as continuing peer attachment styles, appeared to be predictive of current depressive symptoms. More specifically, the analyses revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between perceived quality of current peer attachment and symptoms of depression, as well as a statistically significant negative correlation between self-reported childhood maternal care and symptoms of depression. However, other self-reported measures of childhood attachment were not found to be significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Taken together, the findings lend some support for this important element of a number of object relations theories, as they pertain to depression. Further empirical research is indicated.

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