Comparing depression-coping strategies of schizophrenic men and depressed and nondepressed college students.

Identified three significant functions by a discriminant analysis that compared depression coping strategies reported by schizophrenic men (N = 43) and depressed and nondepressed college men (N = 200) and women (N = 200). Function 1 was characterized by cigarette smoking and use of tranquilizers and little physical activity. This function appeared to follow a continuum of "pathology" with highest endorsement by schizophrenic men and lowest endorsement by nondepressed college men and women. Function 2 was identified as a sex-role dimension characterized by high levels of crying, self-confrontation, and creative activity reported by depressed and nondepressed college women and exceptionally low amounts of these behaviors reported by schizophrenic men. Function 3 was associated with self-blame, which appeared to be particularly characteristic of depressed college students. The effectiveness of depression coping strategies reported by schizophrenic men was assessed with a multiple regression analysis that used schizophrenic men's coping strategies to predict their depression scores. It was concluded that schizophrenic men can benefit most in reducing their depression from therapy that involves them socially in creative and physical activities.