The Chinese Version Of HDSQ And Longitudinal Study On Causal Model Of Hopelessness Depression In Chinese Undergraduates

The integration of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression, proposed by Abramson, Metalsky et al., is a cognitive theory for depression emphasizing attributional style, hopelessness and self-esteem. In their integrative theory, it is hypothesized that a depressogenic attributional style will interact with the occurrence of negative events to culminate in the proximal sufficient cause of a specific subtype of depression― hopelessness depression in individuals with low but not high self-esteem. High self-esteem buffers against depressive reactions following negative events by breaking the hypothesized link between a depressogenic attributional style and the development of hopelessness. According to the theory, once hopelessness develops, hopelessness depression is inevitable given that hopelessness is viewed as the proximal sufficient cause of this subtype of depression that is characterized by a unique symptom profile.The integration of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression is a vulnerability-stress theory of the etiology of depression that has aroused widespread and profound attention. However, because of the complexity of the etiology of depression, the present studies in this field in our country are mainly general investigations and correlative researches, lacking in profound theoretical analysis and systematically empirical researches. In view of these limitations, the aim of this study is (1) to develop a cross-culture revision of the hopelessness depression symptom questionnaire (HDSQ) by utilizing EFA and CFA, test its reliability and validity, and thus provide a measure tool for hopelessness depression; (2) to analyze gender influence on the integrated theory's prediction for depression and development characteristics of hopelessness depression by using data from a 4-month longitudinal study in a sample of Chinese undergraduates. (3) to systematically elaborate on the relationship between depressogenic attributional style, negative events and hopelessness depression, and demonstrate the mediator effect of hopelessness and moderator effect of self-esteem in hopelessness depression-generating process by using Latent Growth Curve Model (LGM) in the 4-month longitudinal study; (4) to establish the causal model for the integration of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression, and accordingly provide the theoretical basis and practical guideline for the intervention and therapy of hopelessness depression in undergraduates.The conclusions sum up from the current study as follows:(1) By EFA and CFA, it is suggested that the hopelessness depression symptoms are composed of 8 factors: retarded initiation of voluntary responses, suicidality, lack of energy, anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentration, and interpersonal dependency. The 8 factors, taken together, reflect one higher-order construct—Hopelessness Depression Symptoms, and the second order model is preferable according to the evaluating criteria.(2) The revised HDSQ has fine validity and reliability, and has met the standard of psychometrics, which could be used as a measure tool for hopelessness depression in Chinese undergraduates.(3) The development of hopelessness depression has a significant association with the occurrence of negative life events, which emerged a linear tendency in a particular period. While hopelessness is relatively stable and fluctuates little in a short period.(4) Gender produces insignificant influence on the development of hopelessness depression in the sample of undergraduates.(5) Depressogenic attributional style and low self-esteem will interact with the occurrence of negative events to predict the occurrence of hopelessness depression. The significant association between the slope for negative life events and hopelessness depression suggests that individuals who experience the greatest increase in negative events are most likely to develop the greatest increase in hopelessness depression.(6) The relationship between depressogenic attributional style, the intercept for negative life events and the intercept for hopelessness depression is partially mediated by hopelessness, but the relationship between depressogenic attributional style, negative life events and the slope for hopelessness depression is not mediated by hopelessness.(7) The relationship between depressogenic attributional style, the intercept for negative life events and the intercept for hopelessness depression is moderated by self-esteem, but the relationship between depressogenic attributional style, negative life events and the slope for hopelessness depression is not moderated by self-esteem.In conclusion, the 4-month longitudinal study has testified and clarified the integration of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression by using LGM in a sample of Chinese undergraduates, and established the causal model for this integrated theory, which will provide theoretical value for the prevention and intervention of hopelessness depression in undergraduates.