Hopelessness, internal-external locus of control, and depression

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between hopelessness, defined as a system of negative expectancies about the future, and two theoretically relevant constructs: internal-external locus of control, and depression. Two samples of 67 and 44 undergraduates were administered the Beck, et al. Hopelessness Scale, the Rotter Internal-External Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The data of both samples supported the predictions that hopelessness would be positively related to external locus of control and to depression.