Internal attributions and types of depression in college students: The learned helplessness model revisited.

Abstract

Tested the relation between attributions and types of depression (with and without low selfesteem) postulated by reformulated learned helplessness theory vs. an alternative (Janoff-Bulman, 1979). 334 Ss completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Attributional Style Questionnaire, and Janis-Field Feelings of Inadequacy Scale. Scores above 8 on the Beck were considered depressed. A median split on the Janis-Field scale divided Ss into those with and without low self-esteem. Clearest support was found for Janoff-Bulman's formulations. Depressed Ss with low self-esteem made more internal characteroldgical attributions for bad events than the other groups. Nondepressed Ss made more internal behavioral attributions than depressed Ss. The implications for counseling and future research on depression and learned helplessness are noted. This article is based on a doctoral dissertation submitted by Richard F. Stoltz and directed by John P. Galassi.We gratefully acknowledge Nausicaa Halkias Stoltz and Elizabeth Ewing Taylor for their assistance with the study and Patricia Anne Rogers for her helpful comments on the manuscript.

Relation of Guilt, Shame, Behavioral and Characterological Self-Blame to Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Over Time

“…As such CSB can be maladaptive insofar as it centers attention on causes that are much more difficult to control. Empirical work generally supports these speculations (Anderson et al, 1983;Anderson, Jennings, & Arnoult, 1988;Cole et al, 1996;Graham & Juvonen, 1998;Janoff-Bulman, 1979;Peterson et al, 1981;Stoltz & Galassi, 1989). The relation of BSB and CSB to depression can also be understood in terms of attribution theory.…”

“…Another research tradition has studied the relation of behavioral and characterological self-blame to depression as well as loneliness, isolation, uncontrollability, helplessness, and stressful life events (Anderson, Horowitz, & French, 1983;Cole, Peeke, & Ingold, 1996;Janoff-Bulman, 1979;Peterson, 1979;Peterson, Schwartz, & Seligman, 1981;Stoltz & Galassi, 1989).…”

Whose self is it anyway? Self-aspect control moderates the relation between self-complexity and well-being

“…Participants responded to 12 hypothetical situations (e.g., ''After your first term at school, you are on academic probation'') on three 6-point scales addressing locus of control (totally due to others vs. totally due to me), globality (influences this situation vs. influences all situations in my life), and stability (will never be present again vs. will always be present). The locus (a ¼ :60), globality (a ¼ :66), and stability (a ¼ :80) subscales revealed adequate reliability across the 12 situations, and all 36 items together were related (a ¼ :62; similar reliabilities have been reported on a variety of attribution style instruments, see Stoltz & Galassi, 1989). Thus, an overall mean score was computed (Peterson & Seligman, 1984).…”

Validity of Beck's Cognitive Theory of Depression With Nonreferred Adolescents

“…A review of the literature also reveals that relatively few studies have explicitly examined this question. This is especially true in the counseling psychology literature in which the depressive experiences of college students have been a priority (Stoltz & Galassi, 1989;Vredenburg, O'Brien, & Krames, 1988). In addition, those studies that have examined Beck's cognitive constructs with nonreferred children and adolescents have resulted in mixed findings.…”