An examination of congruency hypothesis in hopelessness theory of depression

A longitudinal study was conducted to test two hypotheses, congruency and h opelessness-mediation, in hopelessness theory of depression. Three cognitiv e diatheses (attributional style, and inferential styles for consequences a s well as the self), symptoms of depression, and hopelessness were measured in a survey of 279 men and women. About three months later, symptoms and h opelessness were measured again, along with negative life events in the int erim. Some support was obtained for congruency hypothesis. Women with depre ssogenic attributional style in interpersonal domain became depressed when they experienced negative events in the domain, while men with depressogeni c attributional style in achievement domain similarly became depressed. How ever, no comparable effect was Found For the other diatheses: inferential s tyles. Hopelessness-mediation hypothesis was partly supported in interperso nal domain.