Researchers from the University of London explored how people diagnosed with major depression respond to different parts of life. Major depression is a clinical condition characterized by enduring sadness, a sense of hopelessness, and a marked loss of interest in everyday activities. The study found that even among individuals with this diagnosis, positive emotions can still appear in response to certain events. The work was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
The team analyzed data from a diverse group of 1,710 participants who came from multiple countries. Participants completed a comprehensive assessment that measured how they rated various aspects of their own lives, providing a broad view of subjective well‑being across different domains.
Findings indicated a clear pattern. Across the board, participants with depression tended to view physical health and financial circumstances more negatively than others. Yet when asked about relational areas, such as connections with family, friends, and the surrounding environment, many described feeling satisfied with their current situation. This contrast highlights that depression does not erase all sources of happiness or moments of positive emotion, even when overall mood remains exhausted or low.
Researchers interpreted these results as evidence that major depression can coexist with pockets of positive affect. The ability to experience joy, contentment, or gratitude can persist in response to meaningful events or supportive relationships, even while broader depressive symptoms remain prominent. Such a distinction between global mood and situational feelings can have important implications for how clinicians approach assessment and treatment, underscoring the value of considering both negative symptoms and areas of preserved well‑being when evaluating a patient’s experience.
Earlier scientific work established that patterns of thought during childhood—such as persistent rumination and preoccupation with negative outcomes—are linked with an increased risk of depression later in life. The current study adds a nuanced layer to this narrative by showing that adults who have navigated depression may still identify specific life domains where they feel capable of positive experiences, reinforcing the idea that mental health is a spectrum rather than a single, uniform state.