Depressive realism: A meta-analytic review

The current investigation represents the first meta-analysis of the depressive realism literature. A search of this literature revealed 75 relevant studies representing 7305 participants from across the US and Canada, as well as from England, Spain, and Israel. Results generally indicated a small overall depressive realism effect (Cohen's d = −.07). Overall, however, both dysphoric/depressed individuals (d = .14) and nondysphoric/nondepressed individuals evidenced a substantial positive bias (d = .29), with this bias being larger in nondysphoric/nondepressed individuals. Examination of potential moderator variables indicated that studies lacking an objective standard of reality (d = −.15 versus −.03, for studies possessing such a standard) and that utilize self-report measures to measure symptoms of depression (d = .16 versus −.04, for studies which utilize structured interviews) were more likely to find depressive realism effects. Methodological paradigm was also found to influence whether results consistent with depressive realism were found (d's ranged from −.09 to .14).

► We empirically reviewed the depressive realism literature for the first time.
► Averaged across all studies, we found a small depressive realism effect.
► The presence of an objective standard of reality and method of assessment moderated this overall effect.
► Methodological paradigm also influenced whether a depressive realism effect was found.