The Importance of Social Connectedness: From Interpersonal Schemas in Depression to Relationship Functioning and Well-Being

In this article, a program of research is described, which began with a focus on depression. A number of studies have demonstrated that negative self-schemas, particularly for interpersonal content, are well organized and appear to represent stable vulnerability factors for depression. Fortunately,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Canadian psychology = Psychologie canadienne 2021-05, Vol.62 (2), p.174-180
Main Author:	Dozois, David J. A.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Awards & honors Brain Size Cognition & reasoning Cognitive models Cognitive Processes Human Information processing Interpersonal Relationships Major Depression Mental depression Schema Social Interaction Susceptibility (Disorders) Taxonomy
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	In this article, a program of research is described, which began with a focus on depression. A number of studies have demonstrated that negative self-schemas, particularly for interpersonal content, are well organized and appear to represent stable vulnerability factors for depression. Fortunately, this negative interpersonal structure is also modifiable through effective treatments (both psychological and pharmacological). An important extension of this research has involved investigating the impact of schemas on interpersonal phenomena (e.g., excessive reassurance seeking) and the formation of schemas about others (e.g., romantic partners). The dyadic partner-schema model, which articulates how self- and partner-schemas impact relationship functioning, is introduced, and some empirical findings related to this conceptualization are highlighted. The impact of social connectedness to mental and physical well-being is also described. Cet article décrit un programme de recherche qui, au départ, était axé sur la dépression. Bon nombre d'articles ont démontré que les schèmes de soi négatifs, en particulier pour le contenu interpersonnel, sont bien organisés et semblent représenter des facteurs de vulnérabilité stables pour la dépression. Heureusement, cette structure interpersonnelle négative est aussi modifiable au moyen de traitements efficaces (tant psychologiques que pharmacologiques). Un important prolongement de cette recherche a inclus l'examen de l'incidence des schèmes sur des phénomènes interpersonnels (par ex., recherche excessive de réassurance) et la formation de schèmes au sujet d'autrui (par ex., les partenaires romantiques). Le modèle dyadique partenaires-schèmes, qui illustre la façon dont les schèmes de soi et des partenaires influent sur le fonctionnement des relations, est expliqué. Sont ensuite mises en relief des constatations empiriques reliées à cette conceptualisation. De plus, les répercussions de la connexité sociale sur le bien-être mental et physique sont décrites. Public Significance Statement What contributes to psychological well-being is not that far removed from what contributes to a life of misery-both are inextricably linked to having or not having social connections. Being connected with others, and how we think about and organize information (memories, beliefs) about ourselves as social beings, contributes importantly to depression and to mental and physical well-being.
ISSN:	0708-5591 1878-7304