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Conceptualizations of Depression in Older People: The Interaction of Positive and Negative Beliefs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1999

Ian A. James*
Affiliation:
Newcastle Centre for the Health of the Elderly, U.K.
Katherine Kendell
Affiliation:
Priority Health Care Wearside, U.K.
F. Katharina Reichelt
Affiliation:
Newcastle Centre for the Health of the Elderly, U.K.
*
Ian A. James, Clinical Psychology Services, Newcastle Centre for the Health of the Elderly, Castleside Unit, Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, U.K.

Abstract

Empirical evidence for the efficacy of Cognitive Therapy (CT) treatments for older adults, when compared with other psychotherapies, is inconclusive (Davies & Collerton, 1997). The current authors suggest that one reason for the equivocal findings lies in the failure to adapt the cognitive rationale sufficiently to cater for the different presentation of depression in older people; particularly for those experiencing first-episode late onset-depression. It is argued that existing models tend to focus on the negative aspects of self-appraisal, and fail to fully conceptualize the functional role of positive beliefs (i.e. functional beliefs that have maintained the self-esteem over many years). The work presents an alternative conceptualization of depression for older people, along with implications for therapy. This framework does not represent a brand new approach, but emphasizes specific aspects of existing psychological conceptualizations.

Type
Brief Clinical Communication
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1999

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