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At time of admission 50 hospitalized male patients assigned to one of two groups judged as depressed and nondepressed completed one form of the Depression Adjective Check List (DACL). Depressed patients were placed in a highly specific treatment regime: Antidepressive program (adp), which required display of assertive behavior for termination of treatment. After removal from the program ADP patients received an alternate form of the DACL, and 2 weeks postadmission all patients completed a third form of testing. Significant decrease in number of dysphoric mood items selected posttreatment was found for the ADP group as compared with nondepressed patients. Lower depression scores were obtained after ADP across the period studied. Length of time in ADP was related negatively to initial depression scores. Results are interpreted in terms of reinforcement contingencies that sustain depressive verbal behavior.

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