EMOTIONAT REASONING PROCESSES IN DEPRESSION David Berle Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Master of Psychotogy (Clinical) This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy i gchool of psychology The University ofNew South Wales July 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: BERLE First name: DAVID Other name/s: MARTIN Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: PSYCHOLOGY Faculty: SCIENCE Title: Emotional reasgning proc,esses in depression. maxtmum: The present series of studies investigated the relationship between emotionaf reasoning and depression. Emotional reasoning, a feature of cognitive models of emotional disorders, refers to the tendency to form interpretations based upon one's emotional state, as opposed to objective information. Studies L, 2, and 3a used a procedure adapted from previous research to determine whether emotj-onal reasoning characterises dysphoria and depressj-on. The findings suggested that almost afl- individual-s engage i-n emotional reasoning and that, although self-referent emotlonaf reasoning may characterise dysphoric moods, clinically depressed indivlduals do not engage j-n emotional reasoning to a greaLer extent than non-depressed individual-s. Studies 2 and 3b investigated the prospective rel-ationshlps between emotional reasonl-ng and depressive symptoms across 8 week and 6 month intervals, respectively. The results of these studies srrqtgtested that emotional reasoning does not predict subsequent depressive symptoms. The findings of Study 4a and 4b, which investigated a similar tendency, intrusion-based reasoning, indicated that the interpretatlons of dysphoric and depressed individuals are not exclusively influenced by emotionaf $tates, but also by intrusive autobiographical memories. Studies 5 and 6 aimed to develop improved measures of emotional reasoning, Scores on a new self-report measure of emotional reasoning were not associated wlth scores obtained usj-ng the established procedure, and a mood induction procedure used in Study 6 provided results that were inconsistent with those of Studies 1, 2, ar,d 3a, in that few individual-s appeared to engage in.emotional reasoninq. Finallyr ds a prellminary step towards translating 1ab- based research to a cI1nlcal setting, Study 7 investigated whether emotional reasoning tendencies change during the course of cognltive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Although anxiety and depressive symptoms improved wlth treatment. emotional reasoning scores remained stable, indicating that established CBT approaches may not address emotionaf reasoning tendencies. Togetherr the findj-ngs across these studies highlight the apparent ubiquity of emotional reasoning and indicate that it is marginally, if at a1J-, elevated in depression. Numerous methodological questions are raised by the research and the results of these studies undermi-ne cognitive models of psychopathology that suggest emoti-onal reasoning characterises and contributes to depression. relatang to I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use{he 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts lnternational (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). ffi#" I Pq# .3t/,Jp The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT GOVER OF THE THESIS COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for apartial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certifr that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.' 013 ORIGINALITY STATEMENT 'I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at trNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.' Signed....ffi Date ......-*ffaon ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my profound gratitude to Professor Michelle Moulds for supervising me throughout this project. I have been extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to receive supervision from someone so astute, dedicated and empathic. Michelle, I will forever aspire to emulate your enthusiasm and warmth. I would also like to thank Emily her inexhaustible patience and understanding throughout my studies. I am truly fortunate to have received such generosity and tolerance along the way. Cameron has provided inspiration and distraction when I have needed it the most. My parents, as well as Emily’s family have demonstrated great understanding by supporting me in pursuing a project that has been somewhat self-indulgent. I am very grateful to Jill Newby and each of Michelle’s other PhD students for providing access to their participant databases and for listening to my lengthy and repetitive practice talks. I would also like to thank my co-supervisor Dr Jessica Grisham for her support. I would like to express my gratitude to Vladan, Denise, Anthony, Karen, Bill and each of my work colleagues for their kind consideration of my multiple commitments. For every person along the way who reinforced my understanding that the scientific process is about so much more than significant positive results, I am very appreciative. Finally, I would also like to thank the participants of each of my studies whose altruism reminds me of the honour in volunteering one’s time for the greater good. 4 PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS A number of studies reported in this thesis have been published, submitted for publication, or have been presented at conferences, as outlined below: Peer reviewed journal publications: Studies 1 and 2 Berle, D. & Moulds, M. L. (2013). Emotional reasoning processes and dysphoric mood: cross-sectional and prospective relationships. PLOS ONE, 8(6), e67359. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067359 Study 3a Berle, D. & Moulds, M. L. (2013). An experimental investigation of emotional reasoning processes in depression. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 52, 316-329. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12019 Studies 4a and 4b Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (in press). Intrusion-based reasoning in depression: Cross-sectional and prospective relationships. Memory. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2013.831453 Study 6 Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (submitted). Investigating emotional reasoning and depressive symptoms using a mood induction procedure. Cognitive Therapy and Research. Conference presentations: Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (2011). Emotional reasoning processes in depression. Symposium: Williams, A. Rumination and Anger. Australian Association for 5 Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (AACBT) 34th National Conference, Sydney, 26-30th October. Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (2011). Emotional reasoning processes in depression. Symposium: Moulds, M. L. Memory and cognition in depression: Recent experimental findings with implications for clinical practice. Australasian Society for Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Conference, Sydney, 20-22nd October. Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (2011). Intrusion-based reasoning in depression. Symposium: Moulds, M. L. Memory processes in clinical disorders. 5th International Conference on Memory (ICOM-5), York, UK, 31st July – 5th August. Berle, D., & Moulds, M. L. (2011). Emotional reasoning processes in depression. Symposium: Moulds,