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Relationships between depression and causal attributions about stressful life events

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Abstract

Cognitive hypotheses about depression derived from the reformulated learned helplessness theory were tested in students' attributional analyses of the causes of their own recent stressful life events. Results supported the hypothesis that depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory is associated with certain causal cognitions, and these cognitions were predictive of the intensity, chronicity, and generality of depression 2 months after the initial testing. Cognitions especially related to depression emphasized perceived low control over causes of events and globality of the causes. Attribution theory-based predictions that internal locus of causality and stability would be related to naturally occurring depression were not supported. In addition, there were no sex differences in attributions. While the results support the possible role of cognitive mediators between life events and depressive reactions, they also suggest that depression-related causal analyses may vary across situations and populations.

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Author notes

  1. Susan E. Krantz

    Present address: School of Education, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, California, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Constance Hammen & Susan D. Cochran

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  1. Constance Hammen
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  2. Susan E. Krantz
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  3. Susan D. Cochran
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Hammen, C., Krantz, S.E. & Cochran, S.D. Relationships between depression and causal attributions about stressful life events. Cogn Ther Res 5, 351–358 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173686

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