Subtyping Major Depression: A Taxometric Analysis

Abstract

Taxometric procedures were used to test claims for the content and latent structure of 5 proposed subtypes of major depression: an endogenous form, sociotropic and autonomous forms proposed by A. Beck (1983), a self-critical form proposed by S. J. Blatt (e.g., S.J. Blatt & E. Homann, 1992), and a hopelessness form proposed by L.Y. Abramson, G.I. Metalsky, and L.B. Alloy (1989). Analysis of self-reported symptom and personality profiles of 531 consecutively admitted outpatients with a primary major depressive diagnosis sought to determine whether the clinical features proposed by the respective accounts systematically covary; which features are central to the respective latent structures; and..