Abstract
In this study, Sociotropy-Autonomy (SA), first conceptualized by A. T. Beck (1983) as a diathesis (personality style) factor of depression, was examined. With 101 college students, Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale (SAS; Beck, Epstein, Harrison, & Emery, 1983) was shown to have sufficient reliability and validity. Two weeks later, the students filled out questionnaires of life events, their evaluative reactions to them, and depression. Seventy-nine students without missing data were included in subsequent data analyses. Results concerning SA and negative autonomous life events supported the personality style-stress interaction hypothesis. However, a more specific hypothesis of personality style-life event congruence was not supported for any conceivable combination of SA types and negative life events. A possible moderating role of distorted cognition, likely correlates of personality styles, was discussed, and necessity was stressed for a standardized assessment instrument for negative life events, corresponding to each of personality styles.
