Vulnerability factors in depression: A test of the diathesis-stress model in children

The present study tested the hopelessness theory's diathesis-stress model of depression for children by utilizing a pre/posttest design. The hopelessness model predicts that a negative attributional style combined with failure to achieve a highly valued outcome will lead to hopelessness and eventual depression. The current study assessed the effects of attributional style, daily negative events, and long term negative life events on depression. Eighty-four children between the ages of 9 and 12 participated in this study. Depression was assessed before and after exposure to stressful life events. The data analysis consisted of stepwise hierarchical multiple regression procedures. The results revealed that while negative attributional style alone did not predict change in depression following stressful events the interaction of attributional style with stress did predict later depression.