Attributions for Real and Hypothetical Events: Do They Predict Depression?

Attributional models of depression propose that a negative attributional style is a vulnerability feature in depression, but opinions differ as to whether to assess attributional style for hypothetical or actual events. The present longitudinal study examined whether attributions for hypothetical and real events predicted concurrent and delayed dysphoria. At Time 1, students made attributions for hypothetical events (Attributional Style Questionnaire) and real events (Attribution Questionnaire), and completed measures of dysphoria (Beck Depression Inventory). One month later they repeated the Attribution Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. Attributions for real events formed the strongest single predictor of current dysphoria, whereas attributions for hypothetical events comprised the strongest single predictor of later dysphoria. The combination of attributions for hypothetical events at Time 1 and attributions for real events at Time 2 provided the strongest overall predictor of depression at Time 2. These findings have several implications for the attributional models of depression.