Dimensions of coping and life events as predictors of depression following cognitive therapy.

Thirty‐five depressed outpatients who had received cognitive therapy were followed up after a period of between one and four years. The patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at the beginning and end of treatment. A variety of questionnaires, including the BDI and questionnaires assessing coping skills, life events and client satisfaction, were given at follow‐up in order to investigate predictors of self‐report depression. Multiple regression was used to build a model of predictors of level of depression at follow‐up. The only significant predictors of BDI score were the use of specific coping techniques learned in therapy, the focus on and venting of emotions, behavioural disengagement, and post‐treatment BDI score. The use of specific learned coping was associated with low self‐ratings of depression at follow‐up, whereas the other variables were associated with high follow‐up BDI scores. The implications of these findings for the maintenance of treatment gains were considered.