Final answer:
The dimensions distinguishing depressive from adaptive explanatory styles include internal vs external, stable vs temporary, and global vs specific. The dimension 'immediate versus delayed' is not part of this framework. An adaptive style, attributing causes as external, temporary, and specific, is linked to better resilience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dimensions used to distinguish a depressive explanatory style from an adaptive one include internal vs external, stable vs temporary, and global vs specific. Not included is 'immediate versus delayed' which does not form part of the explanatory styles framework. In cases of negative events, individuals with a depressive explanatory style tend to perceive the causes as internal (their fault), stable (unchanging), and global (affecting many areas of life), which increases vulnerability to depression. In contrast, an adaptive explanatory style tends to attribute causes as external, temporary, and specific, which is associated with better coping and resilience.
For instance, a student blaming poor performance on an exam to a lack of intelligence (internal, stable, global) might be more prone to depression compared to a student who attributes the poor performance to a lack of study for that particular exam (external, temporary, specific).