1998 suplement 1

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Volume 7, suplement 1

Poglądy

The experience of depression among older people – somatic and social context. On depression from another perspective

JOANNA ŚMIGIEL1
1. Zakładu Psychologii Społecznej Instytutu Psychologii UAM w Poznaniu
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 1998, 7, suplement 1 (6), 17-23
Keywords: depression, old age, psychological and social factors

Abstract

The author refers to Seligman's conception of learned helplessness. Seligman assumed a similarity between learned helplessness and psychogenic depression (as regards causes and symptoms). Depression may result from the individual's belief about his/her lack of control over life events, or from his/her stable habits of pessimistic explanation of events (causal attribution of failures). However, depressive people perceive their influence on the reality more accurately than do non-depressives. Losses more and more frequent with years increase the probability of experiencing depression among older people. The social environment affects not only the course of depression, but also efficacy of its treatment.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Joanna Śmigieł,
ul. Dzieci Wrzesińskich 1/5,
66-400 Gorzów Wlkp.