Attributional style and depression in schizophrenia

Abstract

Objectives: The literature implies that negative attributional style is a psychological correlate of depression. Recent evidence suggests that negative attributional style may be specific to depression. This study examines the association between level of depression and negative attributional style in a sample of individuals with schizophrenia. Method: One hundred and thirteen inpatients with schizophrenia were assessed with the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Attributional Style Questionnaire. Results: Attributions of negative events to internal and to global causes were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Only the global dimension was significantly associated with positive symptoms. No attributional dimensions were significantly associated with negative symptoms. Conclusions: These results are consistent with the idea that negative attributional style may be specific to depression and not a general characteristic of psychopathology.