There are many theories to explain depression. One of the most complete is Lewinsohn’s theory of self-focus (1985), a behavioural-cognitive theory focused on explaining the origin, maintenance and aggravation of depression.

Behavioral-cognitive theories focus on the personal variance of Person x Situation interaction, and include among their elements cognitive processes.

So, let’s see what Lewinsohn’s theory is, as well as its most important features.

Lewinsohn’s theory of self-focus: general characteristics

We know that depression is a mental disorder that affects our way of thinking, living and feeling . 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 patterns of behaviour that we perpetuate and that allow this depressive state.

In his theory, Lewinsohn poses environmental factors as the primary culprits of depression; however, he also speaks of cognitive factors that mediate its onset, 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, situational state where the person focuses on him/herself , or the amount of attention the person directs to him/herself rather than to the environment.

Chain of events

Lewinsohn’s Theory of Self-Focus proposes that the development of events is as follows.

First there is a background event. Such an event increases the likelihood of future depression or stress. In this way, there is an interruption of the adaptive patterns of behaviour , 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 for the person, and the level of disruption in daily life.

Thus, a negative imbalance is generated in relation to the quality of the person’s interactions with his or her 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 theory of self-focus on depression proposes that in the chain of events that leads to the appearance of a depressive episode , the critical factors that act as mediators of the effects of the reduced rate of positive reinforcement on depression are

  • An increase in self-awareness (self-focus).
  • An increase in negative experiences.
  • A person’s failure to cope with stress (e.g., a life event, such as a loss).

High self-awareness

More specifically, Lewinsohn proposes that two elements are added to generate high self-awareness: on the one hand, the negative emotional response discussed, together with the negative impact due to the person’s failure to annul the consequences of stress. Thus, this sum originates an elevated state of consciousness .

This self-awareness determines the origin of three factors: cognitive alterations, negative behavioural consequences and the intensification of previous emotional reactions.

The increase in self-awareness, together with an intensification of negative emotions, leads to a reduction in self-esteem and a series of cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes that correlate with depression. In turn, these changes exacerbate self-awareness, appearing in a vicious circle that maintains and aggravates depression.

Characteristics that predispose to depression

Lewinsohn’s Theory of Self-focus proposes a series of predisposition characteristics that increase the risk of suffering a depressive episode or a depressive disorder . These are:

  • Being a woman.
  • Being 20-40 years old.
  • Having a previous history of depression.
  • Have poor coping skills.
  • Have a high sensitivity to aversive events.
  • Being poor.
  • Show a high tendency to self-awareness.
  • Having low self-esteem.
  • Have a low threshold for activation of depressive self-schemes.
  • Showing interpersonal dependence.
  • Having children under 7 years old.

Protective factors

On the other hand, Lewinsohn also raises in his model a series of protective factors against depression . These are basically three:

  • Self-perception of high social competence
  • Frequently experiencing positive events
  • To have a close and intimate person to rely on.

Depressed mood

On the other hand, Lewinsohn’s theory of self-focus also specifies the existence of feedback loops that determine the level of severity and duration of a depressive episode.

On the other hand, he believes that a depressed mood is necessary to produce the negative consequences of depression; such a depressed mood therefore plays a central role.

Bibliographic references:

  • Horse (2002). Manual for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of psychological disorders. Vol. 1. Madrid. Siglo XXI.
  • UNED Psychology. (2018). Mood disorders: psychological theories. Retrieved from: isipedia.com.