If it be love indeed tell me how much: Early core beliefs associated with excessive reassurance seeking in depression.

Authors

Lyndsay E. Evraire
David J. A. Dozois, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Journal

Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement

Volume

46

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

8

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033486

Abstract

This study explored core beliefs associated with excessive reassurance seeking (ERS) in depression. Undergraduate students (n = 303) completed measures of early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles, ERS, and depression, along with a subsequent measure of depressive symptoms 6 weeks later. Anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and an abandonment/instability schema each added to the prediction of ERS beyond the effects of depression. Moreover, avoidant attachment and the abandonment/instability schema moderated the relationship between ERS and depression over time. These results are consistent with the idea that individuals with early core beliefs reflecting insecurity in relationships seek reassurance. The findings also suggest that it may not be ERS behaviour per se, but rather characteristics of the individual in combination with ERS that are associated with depression.