Illness attributions and hopelessness depression: the role of hopelessness expectancy

According to hopelessness theory, hopelessness expectancy is the proximal, sufficient cause of hopelessness depression. Consequently, hopelessness expectancy is viewed as mediating the influence of all other factors on hopelessness depression. Using a longitudinal research design, we examined hopele...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of abnormal psychology (1965) Vol. 101; no. 2; p. 257
Main Authors DeVellis, B M, Blalock, S J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1992
Subjects
Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Anxiety - psychology
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - psychology
Depression - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation
Self Concept
Sick Role
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:According to hopelessness theory, hopelessness expectancy is the proximal, sufficient cause of hopelessness depression. Consequently, hopelessness expectancy is viewed as mediating the influence of all other factors on hopelessness depression. Using a longitudinal research design, we examined hopelessness expectancy as a mediator of the relation between illness attributions and hopelessness depression in a sample of 57 adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Although hopelessness expectancy was a strong predictor of hopelessness depression, it moderated rather than mediated the relation between attributions and depression. Finding support for a moderating rather than a mediating model is inconsistent with theory but is consistent with the findings of Riskind, Rholes, Brannon, and Burdick (1987).
ISSN:0021-843X
DOI:10.1037/0021-843X.101.2.257