BRIEF REPORT Cognitive vulnerability to depression in never depressed subjects Melissa Hunt and Nicholas R. Forand University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dysfunctional cognitions could be measured in never-depressed individuals after a sad mood prime, and if these dysfunctional cognitions would predict future depression. Subjects were first screened for current or past depression. Never-depressed subjects were randomly assigned to a prime or no-prime condition and completed the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale. After one month, subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory. The mood induction was successful in producing a sad mood, but had no effect on accessibility of dysfunctional cognition. Dysfunctional cognitions did predict depressive symptoms one month later, for the women in the sample, but not the men. These results were actually stronger for the unprimed subjects. The results provide some support for the cognitive diathesis-stress model, and suggest that cognitive vulnerability to depression may exist prior to a clinically significant depressive episode. However, mood priming does not appear to be a useful strategy with never-depressed subjects. Proponents of the Beck's cognitive model of depression maintain that dysfunctional cognitions are a causal factor in depression that are present in vulnerable indivi- duals and stable across both depressed and nondepressed states. Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy 1989; Abramson, Seligman, & Teasdale, 1978; Beck, 1972; Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emory, 1979). According to the model, depression results when these cognitions are present and interact with the occurrence of relevant stressful life events. Numerous studies have demonstrated that these maladaptive cognitive styles are present in depressed individuals. For a comprehensive review see Haaga, Dyck, & Ernst, 1991.) Correspondence should be addressed to Dr Melissa Hunt, Department of Psychology, 3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214, USA; e-mail: mhunt@psych.upenn.edu # 2005 Psychology Press Ltd http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/pp/02699931.html DOI:10.1080/02699930441000382 COGNITION AND EMOTION 2005, 19 5), 763±770