Do gender differences in the role of dysfunctional attitudes in depressive symptoms depend on depression history?

Gender differences in the moderating role of dysfunctional attitudes in the relationship between life stress and depressive symptoms were examined with and without controlling for the presence of lifetime history of depression. When lifetime history of depression was controlled, dysfunctional attitudes played a moderating role in the relationship between life stress and depressive symptoms for both men and women. However, when lifetime history of depression was not controlled, dysfunctional attitudes moderated the relationship of life stress and depressive symptoms for women only. The results suggest gender differences in the moderating role of dysfunctional attitudes may be contingent on lifetime history of depression and that past depression may exert differing effects for men and women.