ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2013, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (1): 118-124.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2013.00118

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Operationalizing the Cognitive Vulnerability of Hopelessness Depression and Its Related Research

ZHOU Lihua;CHEN Jian;SU Linyan   

  1. (1 Mental Health Institute, the 2ndXiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China) ( 2 School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China) (3 Hunan Institute of Technology, Hengyang 421002, China)
  • Received:2012-03-22 Online:2013-01-15 Published:2013-01-15
  • Contact: SU Linyan

Abstract: Operationalizing the cognitive vulnerability includes composite score, the highest score, and intra-individual standard deviation, which are used widely in depression researches. In the present, we reviewed these approaches and appreciated their significance during the course and therapy of hopelessness depression. We found that the composition score and the highest score reflected the different aspects of the cognitive vulnerability factors in hopelessness depression respectively. Therefore, comparing the two methods would be of great importance in future research. In addition, explanatory flexibility, which was represented by intra-individual standard deviation, may be a new vulnerability component beyond the hopelessness theory, and thus should shed light on the therapy of depression.

Key words: hopelessness depression, operationalizing cognitive vulnerability, composite score, the highest score, intra-individual standard deviation