Aetiology of Depression Aetiology of Depression Dr. The research into Life Events and Psychopathology addresses the role negative life events have in the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders and the influence of positive events on the remission of these disorders. The main theme of the research was to further specify the meaning of certain types of events in the onset and remission of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Recent difficulties act as 'provoking agents', even more so than is the case with events.
Especially important were difficulties in relationships, socio-economic difficulties and chronic medical disease. Difficulties which had been in existence for more than two years did not add any explanatory power, nor did they strengthen the effect of events and recent difficulties in the onset of disorders. There is an additive effect between events and recent difficulties. The main contribution in the remission were events who lessened the seriousness of a longterm difficulty at home or at work. Positive events were neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for remission, just as this was true for the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders.