Overview
When individuals feel that they have no control over their circumstances, they may stop trying to improve their situation, leading to a cycle of helplessness and despair. For example, a person diagnosed with a chronic illness may face numerous treatments and setbacks. If they repeatedly find that their efforts to manage their symptoms are ineffective, they might begin to feel helpless, believing they cannot improve their health or well-being. Another example would be an abusive relationship, an individual may feel trapped and unable to escape due to financial dependency, fear of retaliation, or lack of support. They may internalize the belief that they cannot change their situation, leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness characteristic of depression.
The revised learned helplessness theory introduces the idea of attributions, which are the explanations people give for events in their lives. These attributions can be classified into three dimensions, internal, global, and stable. A person who fails a test might think, "I’m not smart enough." This internalization can lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression, as they believe their failures are a reflection of their identity. A person might think, "I always mess everything up," after a mistake. This sweeping conclusion can lead to pervasive feelings of hopelessness and depression, affecting various aspects of their life. Someone might believe, "I will always be bad at relationships," leading to a sense of hopelessness that contributes to depression, as they see no possibility for change.
By examining the types of attributions individuals make about their circumstances—internal, global, and stable—we can better understand how these thought patterns contribute to depressive feelings and behaviors.