The Integrated Hopelessness/Self-esteem Theory For Depression And Attribution Retraining In Graduates

The integrated hopelessness/self-esteem theory for depression was put forward by American psychologists Seligman, Abramson and Metalsky. This theory is a kind of cognitive theory for depression emphasizes attributional style, hopelessness and self-esteem. It has become a focus problem in depression study field lately. The attribution retraining for depression is a sort of cognitive-behavior therapy for depression focuses on attributional style according to the initial form of this theory by Seligman and has significant applied value.The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between depression and attributional style, hopelessness, self-esteem, personality and stress and explore how attributional style comes into being. At the same time, attempt to build the procedure of attribution retraining for depression in group and test its availability in depressed undergraduates. On the one hand, 514 undergraduates were measured with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) , Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) , The self-Esteem Scale (SES) and Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16-PF)and their stresses were assessed. We analysed these data in statistical approach. On the other hand, we designed and put in practice the procedure of attribution retraining and compared the scores of BDI, ASQ and SES for test-groups students and control-groups graduates.Results show: 1, Self-esteem and attributional style have direct effect on depression and have significant modiating effect on the path of personality to depression. There is correlation between fated attribution and depression as well as hopelessness and depression. 2,The personalities of depressed graduates are: lo-emotional stability, lo-liveliness, lo-boldness, hi-sensitivity, hi-suspiciousness, hi-insecurity, hi-tension, anxiety, introversion, not tough poise and low marks in Mental Health. 3> Stressful life event may be one of the causers for depression but not a crucial factor. 4> A structural equation modeling for the integrated hopelessness/self-esteem theory was established. 5^ The nuclear personalities for negative attributional style are hi-sensitivity, hi-insecurity, hi-tension, anxiety, not tough poise and low marks in Mental Health. 6^ The attribution retraining in group was found had an substantial curative effect.In conclusion, we testified and clarified the integrated hopelessness/self-esteem theory for depression in undergraduates and established a structural equation modeling for this theory. The attribution retraining in group is an effective procedure for depression.