Background: Previous research has shown that cognitive reactivity predicts first onsets of depression over a two-year period. Its predictive power over longer periods is unknown. Aim: To...Show moreBackground: Previous research has shown that cognitive reactivity predicts first onsets of depression over a two-year period. Its predictive power over longer periods is unknown. Aim: To investigate the predictive power of cognitive reactivity on first depression onset over a span of six years. Secondly, to explore the possible moderating role of anxiety disorder diagnosis at baseline. Design and methods: In a longitudinal prospective design, 719 never-depressed individuals were observed over a span of two, four, and six years. Cognitive reactivity was measured using the Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity-Revised (LEIDS-R) (Van der Does & Williams, 2003) self-report scale. Using multivariate binary logistic regression, the prognostic value of the LEIDS-R scores for first depression onset were tested against several background variables and established risk factors of depression. Analyses were repeated in high- and low-risk groups. Results: The analyses of the whole sample and the lower risk sample showed that cognitive reactivity was associated with the incidence of first depression onset over a span of two- and six years. In the higher risk sample, cognitive reactivity was not a significant predictor for depression incidence over a span of two years, but it was over a span of six years. Conclusion: The outcomes of the present research suggest that cognitive reactivity is a strong predictor for first depression onset over a six-year period, both in high- and low-risk groups. These findings emphasize the need for further research on this relationship.Show less
