An interactional test of the reformulated helplessness theory of depression in women receiving clinical treatment for eating disorders.
The study tested the Reformulated Helplessness model that individuals who show combined internal locus of control, high stability and high globality attributions for negative life events are prone to depression. Thirty-six women (M=29 years-8 months of age) receiving clinical treatment for eating disorders completed: the Attribution Style Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Stirling Eating Disorder Scales. An HRA yielded a three-way interaction among the attributional dimensions on depressive symptoms. Plotting of the slopes showed that the attribution of negative life events to the combination of internal locus of control, high stability, and a high globality, was associated with the optimal level of depressive symptoms. The findings supported the Reformulated Helplessness as a model of depression.
School of Psychology, Keele University, Keele, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG UK. k.j.rotenberg@keele.ac.uk
Ken J
KJ
Rotenberg
Paula
P
Costa
Mark
M
Trueman
Paul
P
Lattimore
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011582:Psychological Theory