Congruency Hypothesis of Stress and Sociotropy & Autonomy in Patient with Depression

Interaction between special personality style and stress is a predisposing factor for depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the theory of cognitive vulnerability of beck about the relation between sociotropy / autonomy personality styles and stressful life events in patients with depression. One hundred depressive patients were selected non randomly from consequtive referees to psychiatric and psychological clinics of Tabriz university of medical sciences. All patients were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Personal Style Inventory (PSI-II), and Stressful Life Events questionnaire. There was a significant relationship between personality style, as a predisposing factor, and stressful life events, (P<0/01). Depression was experienced by sociotropy people, when they were encountered with loss experience, separation and interpersonal problems. Depression was experienced by Autonomous people, once they were frustrated and they had experienced failures. Sociotropy was seen more among women and autonomy was more observed among men. But there was not any significant difference between depression symptoms and personal style. In conclusion when sociotropic and autonomic people combat with congruent stress they often experience depression episodes.