Examination of the Cognitive Diathesis-Stress Conceptualization of the Hopelessness Theory of Depression in Children With Chronic Illness: The Moderating Influence of Illness Uncertainty

Abstract

This study utilized a cognitive diathesis-stress conceptualization to examine the relationship of attributional style and illness uncertainty to depression in children with type 1 diabetes, asthma, or cystic fibrosis. Children ages 8 to 12 completed measures of illness uncertainty, attributions for illness-unrelated negative events, and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that general attributions for negative events predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms under conditions of both high and low illness uncertainty. Subsequent plotting of the regressions revealed that depressive symptoms were greater at higher levels of uncertainty when attributions were stable and global. Findings support a diathesis-stress conceptualization in pediatric chronic illness and highlight the importance of interventions targeting management of illness uncertainty and maladaptive cognitions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding for this study was provided by the Olsten/Gentiva Health Care Corporation. Portions of this research were presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology 2006 National Conference on Child Health Psychology. We sincerely thank the families who took part in this study.