elements,
and so have an impact on treatment outcomes. In this study, we focused on insecure attachment (which is related to the vulnerability of an individual’s personality) and interpersonal problems among sample patients, because both are viewed as predisposing factors with respect to depression. The key precipitating factors found in this study were individual perceptions of stress and lack of social support. Prior studies have shown that insecure attachment can be related to depression, and especially fearful attachment, which has been found to be both a predictor of recurrent depression and to delay recovery.3,4 Likewise, interpersonal problems, and particularly social inhibition, have been found to be associated with depression, as has the perception of being stressed.5–7 However, the perceived level of social support received has been inconsistently related to depression in the research studies carried out; inconsistency has not only occurred with respect to depression outcomes, but also quality of life outcomes.8,9