Journal of Abnormal Psychology Vol. 127, Iss. 1,  (Jan 2018): 1-11. The hopelessness theory of depression is a prominent account of depression that posits that individuals with a negative inferential style are more likely to become hopeless when they experience negative life events (NLEs) and that hopelessness is a proximal cause of depression. There is strong evidence supporting the role of a negative inferential style in the pathogenesis of major depression; however, substantially less is known about the proposed role played by hopelessness.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.