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During the past decade, theoretical approaches have emerged that call into question the presumption that self-esteem is an absolute prerequisite for healthy functioning. The present study addressed the question of whether a non-judgmental accepting stance towards experience moderates the relationship between self-esteem and depression. In a sample of 216 undergraduate students, self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), acceptance with the ‘accept without judgment’ subscale of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (Baer, Smith, & Allen, 2004), and depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1987). Results showed that non-judgmental acceptance moderates the relationship between self-esteem and depression. In persons with low mindful acceptance, self-esteem was much more closely associated with depression than in persons with high mindful acceptance. These findings suggest that an accepting, allowing, and non-judgmental stance towards present-moment experience might buffer the detrimental effects of low self-esteem on depression.

During the past decade, theoretical approaches have emerged that call into question the presumption that self-esteem is an absolute prerequisite for healthy functioning. The present study addressed the question of whether a non-judgmental accepting stance towards experience moderates the relationship between self-esteem and depression. In a sample of 216 undergraduate students, self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), acceptance with the ‘accept without judgment’ subscale of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (Baer, Smith, & Allen, 2004), and depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1987). Results showed that non-judgmental acceptance moderates the relationship between self-esteem and depression. In persons with low mindful acceptance, self-esteem was much more closely associated with depression than in persons with high mindful acceptance. These findings suggest that an accepting, allowing, and non-judgmental stance towards present-moment experience might buffer the detrimental effects of low self-esteem on depression.

BackgroundSuicidal ideation (SI) is common in chronic depression, but only limited evidence exists for the assumption that psychological treatments for depression are effective for reducing SI. Methods In the present study, the effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; group version) plus treatment-as-usual (TAU: individual treatment by either a psychiatrist or a licensed psychotherapist, including medication when indicated) and Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP; group version) plus TAU on SI was compared to TAU alone in a prospective, bi-center, randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 106 outpatients with chronic depression. Results Multivariate regression analyses revealed different results, depending on whether SI was assessed via self-report (Beck Depression Inventory suicide item) or via clinician rating (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale suicide item). Whereas significant reduction of SI emerged when assessed via clinician rating in the MBCT and CBASP group, but not in the TAU group while controlling for changes in depression, there was no significant effect of treatment on SI when assessed via self-report. Limitations SI was measured with only two single items. Conclusions Because all effects were of small to medium size and were independent of effects from other depression symptoms, the present results warrant the application of such psychotherapeutical treatment strategies like MBCT and CBASP for SI in patients with chronic depression.

Objectives. In mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT), it is proposed that training in mindfulness should reduce the tendency of formerly depressed patients to enter into ruminative thinking, thus reducing their risk of depressive relapse. However, data showing that rumination is associated with depressive relapse are lacking.Method. In an uncontrolled study with 24 formerly depressed patients, rumination was assessed with the Ruminative Response Scale. To assess the occurrence of relapse or recurrence, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV was administered 12 months after the end of the MBCT. Results. Rumination significantly decreased during the MBCT course. Post‐treatment levels of rumination predicted the risk of relapse of major depressive disorder in the 12‐month follow‐up period even after controlling for numbers of previous episodes and residual depressive symptoms. Conclusions. The results provide preliminary evidence that rumination is important in the process of depressive relapse.