Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)
Published on: September 23, 2021
Hopelessness as a predictor of work functioning among patients with schizophrenia
Louanne W Davis1, Michael A Nees, Nicole L Hunter
1Department of Psychiatry of Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianopolis, Indiana 46202, USA. louanne.davis@med.va.gov
Abstract:
Although many persons with schizophrenia report significant levels of hopelessness, less is understood about the impact of hopelessness on functioning. This study examined the relationship between initial ratings of hopelessness and work functioning in the third week of a vocational rehabilitation program for 34 veterans with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Pearson correlations revealed that poorer task performance was associated with perhaps unrealistic expectations of success, whereas poorer interpersonal functioning at work was associated with poorer motivation. The findings suggest that specific domains of hopelessness are associated with different aspects of work functioning.
Related Concept Videos
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...

