['The present study examines the moderating role of global depression severity on the relation of melancholic versus non-melancholic depression to severe and non-severe levels of stress.', 'A community sample of 50 women with unipolar major depressive disorder, of which 54% met Research Diagnostic Criteria for melancholic depression, were interviewed regarding stressful life events experienced prior to onset. Events were coded as severe or non-severe based on the rigorous Bedford College contextual rating system.', 'Greater severity of depression was related to a higher likelihood of a severely stressful event prior to onset only for women with non-melancholic major depression. By contrast, greater severity of depression was related to a higher likelihood of a non-severe, more minor, stressful event prior to onset only for women with melancholic major depression.'] Is severe melancholic depression more vulnerable than non-melancholic depression to minor precipitating life events?