Negative cognitive style and attentional switching interact with emotional maltreatment to predict first onset of a major depressive episode in adolescence via hopelessness
Year: 2016
Type: other
Abstract: The hopelessness theory of depression enjoys substantial empirical support. Further research, however, is needed to evaluate the mediating role of hopelessness and the role of cognitive functioning as an antecedent of hopelessness. The current study tested whether hopelessness mediates the relationship between i) a negative inferential style-emotional maltreatment interaction and ii) an attentional functioning-emotional maltreatment interaction and increased depressive symptoms and first onset of a major depressive episode (MDE) in a fully prospective design. A diverse sample of 253 adolescents aged 12-13 years were recruited and assessed at baseline and three or more follow-ups over approximately 2.5 years. Self-report, behavioral tasks, and diagnostic interviews were used to assess demographics, inferential style, attentional functioning, emotional maltreatment, childhood life events, hopelessness, depressive symptoms and diagnosis. Moderated mediation analyses indicated that hopelessness mediated the relationship between i) a negative inferential style-emotional maltreatment interaction and first onset of a MDE as well as future depressive symptoms (b = .016; 95% CI: .009, .096) and ii) an attentional switching-emotional maltreatment interaction and first onset of a MDE and future depressive symptoms (b = -.016; 95% CI: -.036, -.002). The current study provides additional support for the validity of the hopelessness theory of depression and its clinical relevance in predicting first onset of major depressive episodes in adolescence. Further, it suggests that worse attentional functioning may be a risk factor for the development of hopelessness and later depression.
Institution: Temple University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W2729792436