Abstract
Understanding risk factors for depression in college students is a priority in order to prevent onset. Fatalism is a cognitive belief in powerful external control, and has been theorized to serve as both a risk and protective factor. Based on a theoretical framework, this study investigated the relationship between depression and fatalistic thinking in a diverse sample of 95 college students (80% female, 36% Hispanic/Latino(a), 40% European American/White), while sociocultural variables were investigated as potential moderators. Hierarchical regression models and correlations revealed that fatalism had a significant main effect on depression (β = .31, t = 3.08, p = .003; r = .31, p = .003) and hopeless depression (β = .23, t = 2.27, p = .026; r = .23, p = .026). Sociocultural variables examined (gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religious/spiritual beliefs, and ethnic identity) were not found to moderate the relationship between fatalistic thinking and depression. These findings support the notion that fatalism and depression are significantly related and do not support the idea that fatalism may serve as a protective factor against depression in college students. If more is known about risk factors for depression, appropriate interventions for prevention and treatment of depression can be utilized and the global burden of depression may be lessened.