The effect of depression on counterfactual thinking
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of depression on counterfactual thinking
IRAS ID
61701
Contact name
Kevin/K Thomas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Research summary
This study will explore the way in which people experiencing depression think about how previous events could have turned out differently. This mental process is known as counterfactual thinking, as it involves mentally 'undoing' one's (and others') previous actions and behaviours. The study will be conducted to determine: (a) whether factors known to influence counterfactual thinking (e.g., whether the behaviour is seen as being socially desirable) in non-clinical populations are evident in the counterfactual thoughts generated by people experiencing depression; (b) how personality factors that concern thinking (that is associated with counterfactual thinking) and dealing with emotions influence counterfactual thinking among people experiencing depression; c) whether counterfactual thinking about real-life events as well as hypothetical events presented as vignettes differs among people experiencing depression; d) whether the level of emotional arousal among people experiencing depression changes as they engage in counterfactual thinking. Participants in the study will perform two counterfactual thinking tasks, which involve thinking about how social situations that occurred in the past could have turned out differently. Participants’ level of emotional arousal whilst performing these tasks will be measured to assess the role of physiological arousal in counterfactual thinking. The findings of the study are likely to be beneficial in relation to the development and refinement of cognitive-behavioural therapeutic interventions for depression. For example, by encouraging people experiencing depression to reconstruct their thoughts about their behaviours in past social situations in ways that could help them to deal more effectively with similar situations that they are likely to face in the future.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1261
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion