Does coping style predict vulnerability of depression?

Vlieg, E.F. (2012) Does coping style predict vulnerability of depression? Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Individuals can respond differently to stressors. This response determines whether the individual will get stressed. There are certain behavioral patterns which determines how an individual responds to stress. These are called coping styles: ‘A coping style can be defined as a coherent set of behavioral and physiological stress responses which is consistent over time and situation and which is characteristic to a certain group of individuals’ (Koolhaas et al., 1999). There are two coping styles: the proactive coping style and the reactive coping style. The proactive coping style is characterized by a high level of aggression and easily developing of routine patterns, while the reactive coping style is characterized by a low level of aggression and flexibility. Stress is a risk factor for developing of depression (Korte, 2001). So the question is whether a coping style can predict the vulnerability for depression. To answer this question it is important to know what the baseline differences are between the coping styles. This is discussed at the behavioral, neuroendocrinological and neurobiological level. On the behavioral level, the reactive coping style animals display more passive behavior after mild stress in comparison with proactive coping style animals. As regards to the HPA axis level, the reactive coping style has a higher HPA axis response after mild stress. 5-HT neurotransmission is lower in reactive animals. o investigate the differences in vulnerability for depression, the effects of severe stress are examined at the behavioral, neuroendocrinological and neurobiological level. These results were quite varied. On the behavioral level, non-social behavior was quite the same as in baseline differences tests. Social behavior was the same for the different coping styles. HPA axis response was one time higher in the reactive coping style and the other time higher in the proactive coping style. 5-HT neurotransmission after severe stress is not yet measured in the different coping styles. In normal lines of rodents, the 5-HT neurotransmission is higher after severe stress. Because the results are so varied, a conclusion cannot be drawn whether coping style predicts the vulnerability for depression. Much more research is needed and also the match-mismatch hypothesis should be taken into account.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:50
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:50
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/10433

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