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The relationship between depression, satisfaction with life, and social interest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Shaun A. Saunders  and
Cherie Roy
Shaun A. Saunders
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
Cherie Roy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
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Abstract

Depression is occurring in almost epidemic proportions in modern society (Seligman, 1990). The current study aims to explore the relationship between depression, life satisfaction, and social interest. Eightyseven students from the University of Newcastle were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Social Interest Index (SII). As hypothesised, it was found that depression was negatively correlated with life satisfaction and social interest. It was also found that females displayed greater social interest than males, however no difference was observed in level of depression by gender. These findings support the concept that treatment for depression might be oriented away from introspection, and directed instead towards increasing social awareness and interaction.

Type
Articles
Information
South Pacific Journal of Psychology , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , 1999 , pp. 9 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea and the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Territory University, Australia 1999

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