Research Article

Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women†

  1. Constance Hammen Ph.D.1,*,
  2. Eunice Y. Kim Ph.D.2,
  3. Nicole K. Eberhart Ph.D.1,
  4. Patricia A. Brennan Ph.D.3

Article first published online: 3 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1002/da.20571

Issue

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety

Volume 26, Issue 8, pages 718–723, August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hammen, C., Kim, E. Y., Eberhart, N. K. and Brennan, P. A. (2009), Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women. Depression and Anxiety, 26: 718–723. doi: 10.1002/da.20571

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

  2. 2

    Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

  3. 3

    Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

*Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563

  1. †

    This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 JUL 2009
  2. Article first published online: 3 JUN 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 14 MAR 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 13 MAR 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 18 DEC 2008

Funded by

  • NIMH. Grant Numbers: R01 MH52239, 5-T32-MH14584

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Keywords:

  • depression;
  • acute stress;
  • chronic stress

Abstract

Background: This study explored the relatively neglected role of chronic stress in major depression, examining the independent contributions of co-occurring chronic and acute stress to depression, whether chronic stress predicts acute life events, and whether the two types of stress interact such that greater chronic stress confers greater sensitivity—or resistance—to the depressive effects of acute stressors. Methods: From a sample of 816 community women, those who had a major depression onset in the past 9 months and those without major depressive episodes (MDE) onset and with no history of current or recent dysthymic disorder were compared on interview-based measures of antecedent acute and chronic stress. Chronic stress interviews rated objective stress in multiple everyday role domains, and acute stress was evaluated with contextual threat interviews. Results: MDE onset was significantly associated with both chronic and acute stress; chronic stress was also associated with the occurrence of acute events, and there was a trend suggesting that increased acute stress is more strongly associated with depression in those with high versus low chronic stress. Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of including assessment of chronic stress in fully understanding the extent and mechanisms of stress–depression relationships. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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