Study of response styles and a causal model of depression

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between response styles and depression in university students. Ninety-two university students participated in a questionnaire survey, with a follow-up survey administered 4 weeks later. Structural equation modeling was conducted with analysis of moment structures. The model describing the causal relation from response style to depression fit the data best. These results indicate that the likelihood of future depression is increased by negative rumination response and decreased by distraction response for mood changing.