An Examination of the Symptom Component of the Hopelessness Theory of Depression in a Sample of Schoolchildren

Abstract

The hopelessness theory of depression hypothesizes the existence of a distinct subtype of depression, hopelessness depression, that may be identified by its unique symptom profile as well as by its specific etiology, course, and response to treatment. The goal of the current study was to examine the symptom component of the hopelessness theory in a sample of schoolchildren between the ages of 7 and 13. Three-hundred-and-seventy-three participants completed measures of hopelessness and depressive symptomatology. Hopelessness was significantly associated with all six hypothesized symptoms of hopelessness depression (100%) but with only two of the four non-hopelessness depression symptoms (50%). Further, when symptoms were evaluated in combination, hopelessness depression symptoms exhibited a significantly greater association with hopelessness than did non-hopelessness depression symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that symptoms that were associated with hopelessness formed independent factors when compared to symptoms not associated with hopelessness. Overall, the results provide strong support for the symptom component of the hopelessness theory in children.