The Theoretical Relationship Between Materialistic Depression and Depression: Preliminary Data and Implications for the Azibo Nosology

Materialistic depression is a culture-specific disorder of the African (Black) personality construct. Housed in the Azibo nosology, it is defined as a condition in which material goods or the lack of them serve as one's criteria for judging oneself and/or others. It is felt to be a major way that depression in contemporary Africans is expressed. A positive correlation between materialistic depression and general depression was hypothesized. Results supported the hypothesis as the correlation between materialistic depression measured by Black, Braithwaite, and Taylor's (1980) Materialistic Depression Quiz (MD Quiz) and general depression measured by Zung s Self-Rating Depression Scale was statistically significant and positive, albeit small. Th7e pattern of correlations was consistent with materialistic depression theory. Gender differences in the pattern of correlations may also be suggested. Topics covered include the construct validity of materialistic depression, the measurement and conceptualization of depression in African people, and implications,for the Azibo nosology.