What does learned helplessness theory suggest about exposure to uncontrollable negative events?

Learned helplessness theory posits that when individuals are repeatedly exposed to negative events that they cannot control, they may develop a sense of helplessness. This sense of helplessness manifests as a loss of motivation and a belief that their actions will not influence outcomes, leading to a feeling of resignation. As people experience uncontrollable negative events, they begin to perceive future situations through the lens of this learned helplessness, which can significantly affect their self-efficacy.

In practical terms, this means that individuals might stop trying to make positive changes in their lives because they believe that their efforts will be futile. For example, a patient dealing with heart failure might give up on adhering to a treatment regimen or lifestyle modifications, feeling that such efforts won't lead to any meaningful improvement in their health condition. This disengagement from proactive behaviors can worsen their situation, emphasizing the importance of addressing feelings of helplessness in therapeutic settings.