A comparison of the Response Styles Theory and the Hopelessness Theory of depression in preadolescents

This study compares predictions from the Hopelessness Theory of depression (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989) with the Response Styles Theory of depression (RST; Nolen-Hoeksema, 1987) with data obtained from a preadolescent sample (ages 9 to 13 years). Three hundred ten preadolescents completed self-report measures of stress, sense of control, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Neither rumination nor perceived control moderated the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. However, path models revealed that perceived control was a more powerful mediator of the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms than rumination. Rather than having a direct impact on depressive symptoms, rumination exerted an indirect effect by predicting lowered perceived control. Overall, these results provide support for the Hopelessness Theory of depression and partial support for the RST in this sample of preadolescents.