Helplessness,otherwise referred to as negative outcome expectancy describes pessimistic attributions in which people who are prone to depression believe that they cannot do or say anything to change their unfortunate circumstances.

Helplessness

A state in which an individual feels unable to control events affecting them, leading to a lack of motivation and depression.

Negative Outcome Expectancy

The belief or anticipation that actions or events will lead to undesirable results.

Pessimistic Attributions

The tendency to explain the causes of negative events in one's life as internal, stable, and global.