Brown & Harris (1978)

• Aim: 

  To investigate the relationship between social factors, stressful life events, and the onset of depression in women.
• Research Method: 


  Survey study using semi-structured interviews
• Procedure:

  • 458 women in South London were surveyed
  • Researchers collected biographical details, focusing on significant life events and difficulties
  • Independent researchers rated the severity of these events
  • Social class was measured based on husband's occupation
• Results:

  • 8% (37) of women became clinically depressed in the previous year
  • 90% (33) of depressed women experienced adverse life events or serious difficulties
  • Only 30% of non-depressed women experienced similar adversity
  • Working-class women with children were 4 times more likely to develop depression than middle-class counterparts
  • Three major factors affecting depression development were identified:

  1. Protective factors (e.g., high levels of intimacy with husband)
  2. Vulnerability factors (e.g., loss of mother before age 11)
  3. Provoking agents (acute and ongoing stressors)
• Conclusion: 

  The study demonstrated a link between social factors, life stress, and depression in women. Social class played a significant role, with lower social status associated with increased exposure to vulnerability factors and provoking agents.
• Strengths:

  1. Novel approach: Focused on social factors rather than just personality and childhood experiences
  2. Methodology: Used semi-structured interviews for in-depth understanding
  3. Sample size: Relatively large, increasing reliability of results
  4. Impact: Provided a model for investigating the relationship between social stressors and depression
• Limitations:

  1. Gender bias: Only females were studied, limiting generalizability to men
  2. Self-reporting: Reliance on self-reported depressive episodes may affect accuracy
  3. Correlational nature: Cannot establish cause-effect relationships due to lack of variable manipulation