Pleasing or withdrawing: Differences between dependent and self-critical depression in psychosocial functioning following rejection

Interpersonal rejection is a well-documented risk factor for depression. The interpersonal consequences of depression, however, have been relatively unstudied. The present study aimed to examine the psychosocial functioning of depressed individuals when faced with interpersonal rejection. The differential consequences on two subtypes of depression – dependent and self-critical depression – were also explored. Based on a survey of 1710 individuals, 44 cases of dependent depression (“dependents”), 44 cases of self-critical depression (“self-critics”), and 46 people without depression took part in the experiment. All participants received a laboratory-manipulated rejection (Nezlek, Kowalski, Leary, Blevin, & Holgate, 1997). Measures of state dependency, state self-criticism, and Willingness to Engage in Teamwork (WET) were assessed for all participants before and after rejection. Additional measures of Willingness to Work Harder (WWH) and Social Interest (SI) were assessed post-rejection. Results indicated that dependents and self-critics responded significantly differently to rejection. After rejection, dependents' state dependency increased, while that of self-critics decreased. Moreover, dependents responded to rejection by pleasing others more (increases in WET, WWH, and SI), whereas self-critics responded by withdrawing (decreases in WET, WWH, and SI). The clinical and research implications of this study are also discussed.