Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression

If we think of depression as one of the most serious and frequent mental disorders in the world, we will realize that it is a problem that must be combated.

And for this part of the solution is to analyze the problem and try to unravel its causes. In this sense, there have been many authors who throughout history have tried to generate hypotheses and theories regarding the origin of depression.

On a psychological level, One of the best known is Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression., which we will discuss in the following lines.

• Related article: "Major Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment"

Depression: a brief description of the problem

In order to understand Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression, it is necessary to first understand the type of problem that this author's theory aims to explain: depression.

It is understood by depression one of the major mood disorders (and one of the most frequent mental problems in the world) which is characterized by continuous existence during most of the day and the most days of at least two weeks of a sad mood and/or the presence of anhedonia (loss of the ability to feel pleasure and satisfaction), in addition to other symptoms such as hopelessness, passivity, sleep problems, loss of appetite and weight, loss of sexual libido or ideas of death and suicide.

It is also common for there to be clinophilia or a tendency to remain bedridden and inactive. The person is usually incapable of being able to get out of that situation, often with ruminations aversive type constants and seeing himself, the world and the future as something hostile and negative.

depression is a disorder that generates great discomfort and is deeply disabling in all fields. At a socio-relational level, it is common for depressed people to isolate themselves progressively, and although initially the environment tends to show support and understanding in the long run there may be a move away towards person. In terms of work and academics, a great loss of performance is perceived.

There are many theories that try to provide an explanation regarding the causes that can generate a depression, among which is the behavioral theory of depression of lewinsohn. Let's see what it consists of.

Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression

Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression is one of the leading theories within the field of psychology that purports to provide an explanation as to why depression arises. This theory is part of the behaviorist current, focusing on explaining depression based on association and conditioning processes linked to carrying out behaviors and the consequences of said actions.

Specifically, Lewinsohn's behavioral theory of depression states that the main cause of depression is the existence of a lack of reinforcement of the behaviors emitted by the subject in most aspects of his life.

This implies that the actions carried out by the person they do not give you gratification or satisfaction in most areas, something that in the long run will cause him to carry out fewer and fewer behaviors. This will have the consequence that little by little the subject becomes more and more passive and over time the majority of symptoms of depression appear.

The fact of not seeing in a contingent way that the actions he carries out suppose or have as a consequence nothing positive that encouraged to repeat it, especially in contexts in which the person would expect to obtain them, will cause the level of activity decay. In addition to that, at a cognitive level, the person may begin to feel emotions such as guilt, low self-esteem and negative thoughts derived from the attribution of said lack of reinforcement to internal and stable elements.

The explanation of the causes

The reasons why this reinforcement may not occur may be multiple, and in this theory it is contemplated that they may be both environmental and dispositional.

On the one hand we can find that the environment or environment surrounding the subject is not reinforcing enough per se (for example, a cold or even hostile environment with the actions of the subject), that the person does not have sufficient skills to obtain them or have difficulties to do so (especially at a social level), or that the subject's perception of what is reinforcing may be biased.

Likewise, the depression would not start from scratch: as Lewinsohn proposed in a reformulation of his original theory, at the beginning of the depressions there is usually a triggering event that causes the person's habitual behavior to be altered and from which begins a decrease in reinforcement (and later in the activity of the subject).

Negative expectations and negative feelings towards oneself would also appear, generating a deep discomfort and affectation in the various vital areas. A sequence of causes would be established that would end up leading to less and less activity and reinforcement and the emergence of depression.

Risk and protection factors

Lewinsohn's theory also analyzes the existence of some factors that may make it easier or more difficult for depression to appear: risk factors and protective factors.

In the first case, the fact of being in aversive situations with great frequency, a precarious socio-economic situation, acting as a caregiver (especially in the case of young children), having had depressions before, having low self-esteem and being a woman are considered factors that can increase the probability of suffering depression.

On the other hand, frequently exposing themselves to positive situations, perceiving themselves as competent, having high self-esteem and having a good social support network are protective factors, in such a way that they make it difficult for a depression.

• You may be interested in: "The theory of depression due to hopelessness: what is it and what does it propose?"

Why is the depressive state maintained?

In addition to offering an explanatory framework that can guide us when establishing why depression appears, Lewinsohn's theory also aims to explain the mechanisms by which this is maintained over time.

Also from a behavioral perspective, the author establishes that in the first moments after the onset of depression it is common for the person who suffers from it to receive understanding and attention from the environment and the medium, in such a way that their state is reinforced as attention supposes an improvement in their situation.

However, this implies that discomfort is enhanced when the subject's behaviors are transformed into something that generates positive stimulation (the attention received), with which it remains valid.

On the other hand, when the environment stops giving attention to the subject, he begins to receive less positive stimulation, something that on the other hand side favors the maintenance of depressive behavior as it is the lack of reinforcement of the behavior that motivated the onset of the depression.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Massón, Barcelona.
• Belloch, A.; Sandin, b. and Ramos, F. (2002). Manual of Psychopathology, Vol. YO. McGraw-Hill. Madrid.
• Lewinsohn, P.M., Gotlib, I.H. and Hautzinger, M. (1997). Behavioral treatment of unipolar depression. To see. Horse (dir.), Manual for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of psychological disorders, vol. 1 (pp. 493-541). Madrid: 21st century
• Vázquez, F.L., Muñoz, R.F., Becoña, E. (2000). Depression: diagnosis, theoretical models and treatment at the end of the 20th century. Behavioral Psychology, 8 (3): 417-449.