Examining Nonattachment to Self, Self-as-Context, and Depression

Author

Vanessa Wang, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

5-1-2024

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Sahu, Ankita

Abstract

Nonattachment to self in Buddhism and self-as-context in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) share conceptual similarities in letting go of a fixed and absolute view of oneself. Both self-as-context and nonattachment to self have been independently investigated with depression symptoms (Godbee & Kangas, 2020; Whitehead, Bates, Elphinstone, et al., 2018; Whitehead et al., 2021). No empirical studies have investigated the associations between nonattachment to self, self-as-context, and depression symptoms. The purpose of the study was to examine how nonattachment to self and self-as-context explained variances in depression scores. Participants (n = 193) completed an online survey, with demographic questions, the Nonattachment to Self scale (NTS), the Self-as-Context Scale (SACS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results from a hierarchical linear regression revealed that education level and self-as-context significantly predicted depression scores. Nonattachment to self did not account for variance in depression scores, after entering self-as-context in the final model. Findings provide insight into the relationship among the variables and adds to the limited research literature on NTS and SACS. Implications for the use of ACT interventions in the treatment of depression in clinical practice are discussed. Limitations and areas for future research investigating nonattachment to self and self-as-context are also discussed.