Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the validity of a newly integrated model to explain how stress influences depression. The model was established theoretically by comparing and integrating two approaches : The cognitive approach to depression and the cognitive phenomenological approach to stress. The suggested model is assumed to deal with cognitive set (self - perception and perceived social support), perceived stress (type and importance) and coping behavior (active and passive coping) as mediating variables and depression as the outcome variable. The appropriateness of the model was examined through two studies. For Study I, the most stressful event or situation which freshmen might experience was surveyed twice with two - week intervals right after entrance. The subjects twice with two —week intervals right after entrance. The subjects were 803 freshmen from six universities selected in Seoul and other cities in consideration of the socio-cultural environment. The collected data of respondents analyzed by the path analysis method, and the variables (perceived stress, cognitive set, and coping behavior) explained 42 percent of the total variance of depression. The cognitive set (self - perception and perceived social support) was directly and significantly related to depression. It explaind more variance of depression than perceived stressfulness and coping strategies. Perceived stressfulness was directly related to depression and coping behavior. Types of the most steressful experience were not significantly related to depression, however, they had a significant relationship to coping behaviors. Finally, active coping behavior was negatively related to depression while passive coping was positively* related to depression. Study II was performed for the purpose of retestifying appropriateness of the model under another stressful situation … mid-term examination, and specifying the results of Study I in detail. From the sample of Study I, 371 students were selected according to the level of the cognitive set. The students were interviewed individually one week prior to the mid-term examinations. The results were reconfirmed mostly as those of Study I. Additionally, interaction between types of stressful experiences and coping behaviors influenced the level of depression and its changed amount. Also, the group of positive cognitive set used both active and passive coping more than the group of negative cognitive set did. The significance of this study is that the study proposed and newly integrated model based on two representative approaches to depression and testified how perceived stressful experiences resulted in depression within the frame of this model. On the basis of the results, it is implied that personal cognitive characteristics, situational factors and coping behaviors have to be considered together for research concerned with depression. The research should be planned to prevent the possibility that the previous depression level might be confused with the mediating process. The study imposes practical meaning that effective and efficient strategies could be developed to change a client's cognitive structure and coping behaviors in a professional setting in therapy and counseling for depression.