Cognitive Vulnerability and Hopelessness among Correctional Inmates

Within a stress-cognitive vulnerability paradigm, the present study tested an interactional "state of mind" model of hopelessness among correctional inmates. One hundred forty-six male inmates volunteered to complete measures of problem-solving appraisal, perceived social alienation, rigid/irrational beliefs, reasons for living, hopelessness, and depression. It was hypothesized that each of the cognitive factors would interact with jail stress to account for hopelessness, independent of mood. The results of hierarchical regression analyses supported this hypothesis. Jail stress was related to hopelessness through interaction with the cognitive mediators. Depression, low appraised problem-solving effectiveness, and few reasons for living also had main effects in predicting hopelessness. Results are discusssed in terms of a state of mind model of hopelessness.