Depressive reactions to failure in a naturalistic setting: a test of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression.
We tested the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression and an integration of the two by examining whether a stable, global attributional style (attributional diathesis) and low self-esteem interacted with the outcomes students received on a midterm examination to predict their subsequent depressive reactions over the course of 5 days. Students' immediate depressive reactions (on receipt of grades) were predicted solely by the examination outcome, whereas their enduring depressive reactions during the following 4 days were predicted by the Attributional Diathesis x Low Self-Esteem x Failure interaction. The results also indicated that the three-way interaction predicted enduring depressive reactions through the mediating role of hopelessness.
Metalsky
G I
GI
Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin.
Joiner
T E
TE
Hardin
T S
TS
Abramson
L Y
LY
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept