The self in depression: Research trends and clinical implications

Abstract

This article offers a brief selective review of basic research findings linking the self to clinical depression. Criteria used for identifying the most influential research trends included theoretical impact, extent of empirical support, and potential clinical utility. We discuss and summarize several of the most productive areas of research on the self: self-esteem, the self-schema, and self-inconsistency. Within each topic area, the most important findings and their applicability to psychotherapy for depression are presented. The article concludes with a discussion of issues raised by the review itself and a set of recommendations for applying basic research findings to treatment selection and psychotherapeutic intervention. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.