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Correlates of adolescent pessimism: A study of the beck hopelessness scale

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Abstract

This study examines correlates of the Beck Hopelessness Scale within an adolescent population. Consistent with studies employing adults as subjects, Hopelessness scores were found to be associated with depression and external locus of control. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between Hopelessness scores and an index of general maladjustment. The Hopelessness measure was, however, found to be unrelated to self-reported health status.

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Data for this study were collected as part of a larger investigation involved with the development and validation of an adolescent measure of life stress which was funded by a grant to the senior author from the University of Washington Graduate School Research Fund.

Received Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University. Major interests are clinical-child psychology and psychopathology of children and adolescents.

Major interests are clinical-child psychology and suicide.

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Johnson, J.H., McCutcheon, S. Correlates of adolescent pessimism: A study of the beck hopelessness scale. J Youth Adolescence 10, 169–172 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02091743

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02091743

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