Hopelessness is the persistent negative expectation about the future: the belief that things will not improve regardless of what is done. It is one of the most dangerous components of depression and the cognitive factor that most consistently predicts suicide risk, independent of mood severity.
Concept origin
Beck, Weissman, Lester, and Trexler (1974) developed the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) to measure it specifically. Abramson, Metalsky, and Alloy (1989) proposed the hopelessness theory as an etiological model of depression, distinguishing it as its own construct.
How it manifests
- ▸ Conviction that the future has no solution
- ▸ Frequent phrase: "there's no point in trying"
- ▸ Passivity and abandonment of goals or projects
Therapeutic approach
Cognitive restructuring addresses hopelessness by examining evidence for negative predictions and generating realistic alternatives. Behavioral activation complements this by behaviorally demonstrating that actions do have effects. In severe cases, it is necessary to assess suicide ideation risk.
Related concepts
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