Attributional style and depression in schizophrenia

Objectives: The literature implies that negative attributional style is a p sychological correlate of depression. Recent evidence suggests that negativ e attributional style may be specific to depression. This study examines th e association between level of depression and negative attributional style in a;sample of individuals with schizophrenia. Method: One hundred and thirteen inpatients with schizophrenia were assesse d with the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Attributional Style Questionnaire. Results: Attributions of negative events to internal and to global causes w ere significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Only the global dime nsion was significantly associated with positive symptoms. No attributional dimensions were significantly associated with negative symptoms. Conclusions: These results are consistent with the idea that negative attri butional style may be specific to depression and not a general characterist ic of psychopathology.