several interpersonal theories of depression presently gaining attention and support. A social-cognitive interpersonal process model , which may serve as a basis for the integration of these theories, has been proposed. The development of this model can be clearly traced to the interactional description of depression proposed by and subsequent elaborations by Joiner and colleagues (e.g., . According to Coyne, depression is maintained by reciprocal interpersonal transactions. The target individual doubts their self-worth, causing an increased need for validation. Their behaviours include excessive reassurance seeking and self denigration. Reciprocal behaviours from others include criticism, rejection and non-genuine support. suggest that ''perceptions of negative appraisal and reduced support are thus posited to be the most proximal cause of depressive reactions'' (p. 103). The idea that belongingness cognitions fulfil a central and proximal role in the development of depressive symptoms, therefore, is congruent with theoretical descriptions of both belongingness (belongingness hypothesis, sociometer theory) and depression (interpersonal and social cognitive models of depression).Empirically, a number of studies have confirmed a strong link between depressive symptoms and belongingness as measured by the Sense of Belonging Instrument-Psychological (SOBI-P; . In this scale 14 items invoke the social world in general, for example, ''I don't feel that there is any place where I really fit in this world.'' Of the remaining items, three broadly refer to ''my friends'' and one to ''my family.'' It, therefore appears that the SOBI-P is intended to capture a general sense of belonging. There is consistent support for a correlation between SOBI-P scores and depressive symptoms of around 7.5 to 7.6. Populations studied include Australian men, Australian women, community college students, gay men, lesbian women, navy recruits, older adults and retirees (