Depressed and anxious moods mediate relations among perceived socialization, self-focused attention, and dysfunctional attitudes

This study examined three factors that may influence cognitive vulnerability to depression and anxiety: (1) subjectS' perceptions of their relationships with their parents and the climate in their family of origin (socialization); (2) self‐focused attention (focusing attention inwardly, on the self); and (3) current symptoms of depression and anxiety. Subjects were 173 university undergraduates. Perceptions of unfavorable socialization and public self‐consciousness were related to dysfunctional attitudes. However, nearly all these relations disappeared when depression and anxiety were controlled statistically. These results suggest that memories of negative experiences in one's family of origin, self‐focused attention, depression and anxiety, and dysfunctional attitudes all may be indicators of latent negative schemas that have been activated, perhaps by recent stress. Copyright © 1995 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company