A comparison of the mood and activities of depressed, previously depressed and non-depressed women

Clinically depressed, previously depressed and non-depressed women were compared on measures of activity and mood. It was hypothesized on the basis of earlier reports in the literature of lingering social impairment following depressive episodes, that previously depressed women would report engaging in fewer activities than non-depressed women, and that they would rate the emotional valence of activities more negatively than non-depressed women. Ss completed individualized activity checklists and measures of mood for 14 consecutive days. Contrary to prediction, non-depressed and previously depressed women were remarkably similar to each other and dissimilar from depressed women with regard to their reporting of activity on a daily basis. This finding was especially unexpected given that a number of the women in the previously depressed group evidenced elevated levels of depression. The findings provide additional support to suggest that mild and severe depression do not lie on the same continuum, and raise questions regarding the nature of depression as experienced by the previously depressed.