Breaking the Vise of Hopelessness: Targeting its Components, Antecedents, and Context

Abstract Hopelessness is a painful cognitive state that related to depression and suicide. Despite its importance, only unsystematic efforts have been made specifically target hopelessness in interventions, no comprehensive review currently available guide future clinical studies. In this narrative review, we first analyze the phenomenon of hopelessness, by highlighting components (e.g., dismal expectations, blocked goal-directed processing, helplessness), antecedents inferential styles), contextual factors loneliness reduced social support). Then, interventions manipulations these mechanisms, either directly or indirectly, highlight both their strengths lacunae. Finally, propose possible avenues improve our toolbox for breaking vise hopelessness.