RUNNING HEAD: TARGETING HOPELESSNESS Breaking the vise of hopelessness: Targeting its components, antecedents, and context Igor Marchetti 1, 2*, Lauren B. Alloy 3, & Ernst H.W. Koster 2 1 University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Via Edoardo Weiss 21, 34128, Trieste, Italy 2 Ghent University, Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, B-9000, Belgium 3 Temple University, Department of Psychology, Weiss Hall, 1701 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA *Corresponding author: Igor Marchetti University of Trieste Department of Life Sciences Via Edoardo Weiss 21 34128 Trieste, Italy E-mail:
[email protected] 1 RUNNING HEAD: TARGETING HOPELESSNESS Abstract Hopelessness is a painful state that is related to depression and suicide. In spite of its importance, only unsystematic efforts have been made to specifically target hopelessness in interventions, and no comprehensive review is currently available to guide future clinical studies. Hence, we first analyze the phenomenon of hopelessness, by highlighting its components (e.g., lack of positive expectations, blocked goal-directed processing, and helplessness), antecedents (e.g., inferential styles and future orientation), and contextual factors (e.g., loneliness and reduced social support). Then, we review the currently available interventions and manipulations that target these mechanisms, either directly or indirectly, and we highlight both their strengths and lacunae. Finally, we propose possible avenues to improve our clinical toolbox for breaking the vise of hopelessness. Keywords: hopelessness, intervention, future expectation, goal-processing, helplessness, memory specificity, inferential style, future orientation, loneliness, social support. 2 RUNNING HEAD: TARGETING HOPELESSNESS Hopelessness is possible only because we do hope that some good, loving someone could come.