A recent study from the University of Vienna has found that emphasizing personal strengths in people with depression can improve their self-confidence and help them achieve their goals. The research, led by psychologist Christina Bauer, challenges common societal narratives that often portray individuals with depression as weak.
According to Bauer, "All of this shows impressive strength." She explained that people living with depression display significant resilience daily, such as managing negative thoughts and persevering through difficult periods. However, she noted that these strengths are frequently overlooked in public discussions about mental illness.
The study involved 748 participants who had experienced depression. Researchers developed a short exercise lasting around 20 minutes in which participants reflected on the strengths they demonstrated while coping with depression. Compared to a control group, those who completed the exercise reported significantly higher self-confidence, regardless of how severe their symptoms were at the time.
Importantly, increased self-confidence also led to better progress toward personal goals. In a two-week follow-up experiment, participants who reflected on their strengths achieved 49% more progress toward a goal they set for themselves compared to others.
Bauer emphasized the broader significance of these findings: "Seeing ourselves as strong rather than weak is important for all of us in order to believe in ourselves and pursue our goals. This also applies to people with depression." She added, "We need to understand that people who struggle with depression are not weak. Such narratives can act as self-fulfilling prophecies and prevent people from reaching their full potential."
The results were published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
