Method and technique of life events research in depression and anxiety

Abstract

Methodological aspects still have a decisive impact on the putative etiological role of life events in clinical research. Questions of a diagnostic nature also serve to complicate this kind of research still further, in this present review in particular, when it deals with depression and/or anxiety. The relationship between life events and disturbed behavior also depends on additional variables, such as personality factors and social support. It is for this reason that detailed specification of the concepts used in life events research would seem to be necessary. And finally—when more than two variables are present—the simultaneous application of a number of statistical models is worthy of recommendation.