Negative Automatic Thoughts Research Articles

A virtual reality-based self-guided training on identification of negative automatic thoughts in healthy adults: a mixed-methods feasibility study

BackgroundCognitive restructuring (CR) is an evidence-based psychological technique for depression. However, face-to-face CR is not easily accessible. Digital CR interventions often overlook the difficulties individuals experiencing depression encounter in identifying their negative automatic thoughts (NAT), leading to suboptimal outcomes. Virtual Reality (VR) has potential advantages in assisting the identification of NAT in CR intervention.ObjectiveThe aim of this preliminary feasibility study is to assess the efficacy, acceptability and safety of a VR-based self-guided training on the identification of negative automatic thoughts (VR-STINAT) for depression, as well as to evaluate the user experience.MethodsIn a mixed methods study, 20 healthy participants underwent VR-STINAT and completed a semi-structured interview, followed by post-training homework. The VR-STINAT includes three modules: psychological education, NAT identification training in VR scenarios, and practice in personally experienced scenarios. Effectiveness was measured via Thought Record Skills Assessment (TRSA) of homework and Cognitive Therapy Awareness Scale (CTAS). Acceptability was measured using an adapted Technology Acceptance Model and duration of training. Safety was measured via Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and self-reported negative emotions. Qualitative material was analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe VR-STINAT was acceptable, with an average rating of 80.68%. The accuracy of NAT identification in TRSA reached 84.55%, and CTAS correctness reached 76.67%. The majority of participants experienced minimal or no side effects, although a few (10%, 2/20) reported relatively severe fatigue and craniofacial pain. Thematic analysis reviewed four themes: effectiveness, acceptability, advantages of VR, difficulties in use and suggestions for improvement. Most participants indicated that they’ve learned how to identify their NAT through VR-STINAT (85%, 17/20), which was engaging (90%, 18/20) and easy to use (60%, 12/20).ConclusionThis study provides preliminary evidence that self-guided training for the identification of negative automatic thoughts related to depression using VR is feasible. Future studies are needed to compare the efficacy of VR with other intervention modalities in people with depression.

Yaygın Anksiyete Bozukluğunda Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi: Bir Olgu Sunumu

Abstract This case study examines the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on a 25-year-old individual diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The patient experiences issues with self-esteem and interpersonal communication. During the CBT process, negative automatic thoughts were identified and replaced with functional alternatives. Therapeutic interventions and assigned tasks helped the patient identify and restructure cognitive distortions. The treatment process observed a decrease in anxiety levels and an overall improvement in emotional well-being. The effectiveness of CBT in treating GAD is emphasized as a method targeting the modification of cognitive processes. Research conducted across various age and demographic groups has shown CBT to be successful in reducing anxiety levels and improving psychological well-being. Future studies should aim to further examine the applicability and effectiveness of CBT. Specifically, research identifying anxiety level increases among GAD patients during pandemic periods would contribute to developing more effective intervention strategies. Additionally, increasing studies on the effects of CBT across different demographic groups would allow for the personalization of therapy methods. Keywords: cognitive behavioral therapy, generalized anxiety disorder, pathological anxiety, anxiety

성인의 비합리적 신념들과 우울 간의 관계에서 부정적 자동적 사고의 매개효과

Objectives The present study aimed to examine the relationship between irrational beliefs (demandingness, cat-astrophizing, low frustration tolerance, and self-downing) and depression and the mediating effect of negative automatic thoughts on the relationship between them. Methods We conducted an online survey of 464 adult men and women (205 males and 2,259 females) and used structural equation modeling analysis to examine whether catastrophizing, low frustration tolerance, and self-deprecation sequentially mediate the relationship between demandingness and depression through negative automatic thoughts . Results The findings are as follows: First, demandingness had a positive effect on catastrophizing, low frustration tolerance, and self-downing. Second, the relationship between demandingness and depression was fully medi-ated by low frustration tolerance and negative automatic thoughts sequentially. Third, the relationship between demandingness and depression was sequentially fully mediated by self-downing and negative automatic thoughts. Fourth, catastrophizing and negative automatic thoughts did not sequentially mediate the relationship between emandingness and depression. Conclusions Based on these findings, we discuss the significance of the present study, psychotherapeutic im-plications for effective interventions with clients who complain of depression due to irrational beliefs, and sugges-tions for future research.

Examining the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With a Virtual Agent on User Motivation and Improvement in Psychological Distress and Anxiety: Two-Session Experimental Study.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment for mood disorders and anxiety. CBT methods, such as cognitive restructuring, are employed to change automatic negative thoughts to more realistic ones. This study extends on previous research conducted by the authors, focused on the process of correcting automatic negative thoughts to realistic ones and reducing distress and anxiety via CBT with a virtual agent. It was aimed to investigate whether the previously applied virtual agent would achieve changes in automatic negative thoughts when modifications to the previous experimental paradigm are applied and when user motivation is taken into consideration. Furthermore, thepotential effects of existing participant knowledge concerning CBT or automatic thoughts were explored. A single-group, 2-session experiment was conducted using a within-group design. The study recruited 35 participants from May 15, 2023, to June 2, 2023, via Inter Group Corporation, with data collection following from June 5 to June 20, 2023, at Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan. There were 19 male and 16 female participants (age range: 18-50 years; mean 33.66, SD 10.77 years). Participants answered multiple questionnaires covering depressive symptomatology and other cognitive variables before and after a CBT session. CBT was carried out using a virtual agent, who participants conversed with using a CBT dialogue scenario on the topic of automatic negative thoughts. Session 2 of the experiment took place 1 week after session 1. Changes in distress and state anxiety were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test and t-test for paired samples. The relationships of motivation with cognitive changes and distress or anxiety changes were investigated via correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the potential predictive qualities of previous knowledge of CBT and automatic negative thoughts regarding outcome measures. Significant reductions in distress (all P<.001) and state anxiety (all P<.003) emerged throughout the first and second experimental sessions. The CBT intervention increased participants' recognition of their negative thinking and their intention to change it, namely their motivation to change it. However, no clear correlations of motivation with changes in distress or anxiety were found (all P>.04). Participants reported moderate subjective changes in their cognition, which were in part positively correlated with their motivation (all P<.007). Lastly, existing knowledge of CBT did not predict reductions in distress during the first session of the experiment (P=.02). CBT using a virtual agent and a CBT dialogue scenario was successful in reducing distress and anxiety when talking about automatic negative thoughts. The promotion of client motivation needs to be critically considered when designing interventions using CBT with a virtual agent, and further experimental investigations on the causal influences between motivation and outcome measures need to be conducted.

Tuning into musicians’ wellbeing: Research on music performance anxiety (MPA)

Tuning into musicians' wellbeing: Research on music performance anxiety (MPA) The Music and Mental Health Research Clinic (MMHRC) at the University of Ottawa's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal is investigating how to reduce music performance anxiety (MPA) and the benefits of specific coping strategies for musicians. The audience cheers, and smiles are on every face. The music performance was incredible; it emotionally moved the audience, got their toes tapping, and made them forget their worries. On the other hand, the musicians are thinking about the note they missed or their tempo not being quite perfect. The audience does not see the musicians worrying before the performance, the state of anxiety during the performance, or the negative rumination that will occur afterwards. Biologically wired with an innate tendency to default to negative assumptions to avoid dangerous situations, our bodies react to stressors as if our lives are at stake (Baumeister, 2001; Rozin &amp; Royzman, 2001; Ito &amp; Cacioppo, 2005). This negativity bias is a key reason why changing our habits, behaviours, and thought patterns is so challenging. It often results in automatic negative thoughts, such as underestimating available opportunities and resources, and increased sensitivity to perceived threats.

Sosyal Kaygı Bozukluğunda Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi Olgu Sunumu

In this study, the client's symptoms were characterized as social anxiety disorder based on dsm5 diagnostic criteria. The client is a 24-year-old female university student. The client stated that she had fears of failing, being stupid and being disgraced and mentioned physical symptoms such as hand and voice tremors, nausea and heart palpitations due to these fears. The client, who has beliefs such as inadequate, worthless and I must be successful, shows excessive anxiety and avoidance behaviors in situations such as eating in front of people, speaking in public, making presentations and mixing with people. The client realized that his academic success was jeopardized and his functionality was decreasing and applied for therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy was used with the client. First, the client was psychoeducated about the therapy and its progress and a therapeutic relationship was developed. In the first stage of the treatment, cognitive processes were emphasized, automatic negative thoughts and core beliefs were identified and questioned, and cognitive restructuring was performed. Then behavioral techniques were practiced. Key words: Social anxiety disorder, anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy.

A latent profile analysis on adolescents' Non-Suicidal Self-Injury related to intrapersonal and interpersonal factors

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents continues to be a significant public health concern worldwide. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that the global prevalence of NSSI in adolescents aged 12–18 years was 17.2%, with higher rates reported among females (19.7%) than males (14.8%). This behavior has been linked to several negative outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The present study aimed to classify adolescents based on intrapersonal and interpersonal factors associated with NSSI proposed in Nock’s (2009) integrated model of NSSI, to identify distinct clusters targeting specific risk factors. This encompassed negative cognition, emotional vulnerability, poor coping skill, peer-victimization, family adaptability, and perceived stress. A total of 881 adolescents aged 11–16 years in South Korea completed self-reported questionnaires on automatic thoughts, depression, emotional regulation, peer victimization, family adaptability and perceived stress. Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed three distinct classes: “the severe group”, “the moderate group”, “the mild group”. Class 3 (“severe group”: N = 127) exhibited greater severity related to NSSI, including negative cognition, emotional vulnerability, poor coping skills, peer victimization, and perceived stress, with weaker levels of factors that can prevent NSSI compared to class 1 (“mild group”: N = 416) and class 2 (“moderated group”: N = 338). The present study emphasizes the importance of considering both intrapersonal (e.g., negative automatic thoughts & emotional dysregulation) and interpersonal factors (i.e., peer victimization) when understanding NSSI - among adolescents. These findings can be utilized to develop interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence and severity of NSSI among adolescents.

Classification of suicidal ideation severity from Twitter messages using machine learning

Depression has become a major mental health problem in Thailand and can lead to suicidal ideation. As suicidal ideation may vary in intensity and lead to suicide attempts, early detection of suicidal ideation severity should be implemented. This research presents text classification models for the prediction of suicidal ideation severity. A dataset of Twitter messages in Thai was used to develop several classification models. A web application prototype was also developed to predict suicidal ideation severity and introduce self-therapy based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to its users for managing negative automatic thoughts. The application prototype received satisfactory feedback during the user experience assessment. The results of this research highlight the importance and need for socio-technical systems to help with early suicidal ideation detection and early therapy in the social environment where mental health support is inadequate.

Psychosocial functioning and its influencing factors in patients with depression post-remission: Implications for assessment and interventions

Background: Enhancing psychosocial functioning is crucial for reducing relapse in depression, but methods for monitoring and recovery are unclear. MethodA 1-year follow-up study assessed psychosocial functioning in 182 patients with remitted depression at baseline (T0) as well as at 1, 2, 6, 9, and 12 months post-remission (T1–T5). Using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and multiple linear regression (MLR), we analyzed the impact of changes in psychosocial functioning on relapse/recurrence risk, and assessed the influence of various factors. ResultsAn increase in psychosocial functioning significantly lowered relapse/recurrence odds by 54.2 %, averaging a risk reduction of 3.1 %. GEE analyses indicated subjective depressive symptoms (β = −0.315) most significantly impacted psychosocial functioning, followed by social support (β = 0.236), positive coping (β = 0.225), and negative automatic thoughts (β = −0.183). Negative coping and expressed emotion exhibited non-significant effects. MLR revealed that the impact of negative automatic thoughts was most significant at initial remission, but the relative importance of residual subjective depressive symptoms, positive coping, and social support on psychosocial functioning remained stable over time. LimitationsPredetermined follow-up assessments may not fully capture psychosocial functioning at relapse/recurrence, and the inclusion of factors might not be sufficiently comprehensive. ConclusionsRecovery of psychosocial functioning significantly reduces relapse risk in post-remission patients with depression more than residual subjective depressive symptoms. The degree of influence of factors on psychosocial functioning can change with the length of remission time.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent condition among adolescents, characterized by an intense and persistent fear of social situations or performance, which results in significant distress and impairment in daily activities. Adolescents with SAD often avoid social interactions, which can negatively affect their academic, social and emotional development. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been widely recognized as an effective approach to treating SAD, offering practical strategies to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve social functioning. This abstract will explore the effectiveness of CBT in adolescents with social anxiety disorder, highlighting the main techniques used and the clinical outcomes observed. The aim of this paper is to review and evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of adolescents with social anxiety disorder. The aim is to analyze the main techniques of CBT, the mechanisms by which it promotes anxiety reduction and the results of clinical studies that show its effectiveness. In addition, the challenges and specific considerations in applying CBT to this age group will be discussed. This literature review aims to analyze the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of social anxiety in adolescents. To this end, references from relevant studies and meta-analyses were selected and reviewed, covering various approaches and results related to the topic. The selection of references was based on the relevance and impact of the publications in the field of psychotherapy and social anxiety. CBT is a form of psychotherapy based on identifying and modifying dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior. In the context of SAD in adolescents, CBT aims to help patients recognize and restructure irrational beliefs about themselves and social situations, develop appropriate social skills and reduce avoidance of social interactions. With this in mind, the main CBT techniques include cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure and social skills training. Cognitive restructuring involves helping adolescents to identify negative automatic thoughts and replace them with more realistic and balanced interpretations. Gradual exposure consists of exposing adolescents, in a controlled and progressive way, to feared social situations, allowing them to face their fears and reduce the associated anxiety response. Social skills training focuses on developing social competencies, such as initiating and maintaining conversations, asking and answering questions, and dealing with criticism and rejection in an assertive manner. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT in reducing SAD symptoms in adolescents. Research indicates that adolescents who receive CBT show a significant decrease in levels of social anxiety, improved quality of life and greater participation in social and school activities. For example, a study conducted by Masia Warner et al. (2005) showed that adolescents who participated in a group CBT program had a notable reduction in social anxiety symptoms compared to a control group. Another study by Beidel, Turner and Morris (2000) showed that individual CBT resulted in substantial improvements in adolescents’ social anxiety and social functioning. Despite the promising results, the application of CBT to adolescents with SAD presents specific challenges. Adherence to treatment can be hampered by adolescents’ resistance to engaging in therapy sessions and facing feared social situations. In addition, parental involvement and coordination with schools are important components for successful treatment, as social and environmental support is crucial for the generalization of therapeutic gains. Therefore, cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven to be an effective approach for treating adolescents with social anxiety disorder. Cognitive restructuring techniques, gradual exposure and social skills training are key to helping adolescents overcome their fears and improve their social functioning. Clinical studies provide robust evidence that CBT can significantly reduce SAD symptoms and improve quality of life for adolescents. However, it is essential to consider the challenges specific to this age group, including resistance to treatment and the need for support from parents and schools. With a careful and collaborative approach, CBT can provide lasting benefits for adolescents with social anxiety disorder, promoting their emotional and social well-being.

The mediator role of negative and positive automatic thoughts between attachment quality towards significant others and adolescents’ internalizing problems

Previous studies found that the insecure attachment of adolescents towards their mother, father, and peers leads to more internalizing problems and maladaptive cognitive processes (for example, low self-esteem). However, the dynamic between the attachment of adolescents, negative and positive automatic thoughts, and internalizing problems of adolescents is not well understood. The present study proposed and tested a theoretical model in which positive and negative automatic thoughts mediate the relationship between the attachment of adolescents towards their parents and peers and the internalizing problems of adolescents. A clinical sample of adolescents (N=105; mean age = 16.60), diagnosed with internalizing disorders, have filled out the evaluations for this study. All analyses were conducted in RStudio, and the mediation models were tested using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling. Our main results are that positive and negative automatic thoughts mediate the relationship between adolescents’ parents- and peer-related attachment and internalizing problems. The biological sex and age of adolescents did not moderate any of the paths in the model. Parents and peer attachment, along with positive and negative automatic thoughts, explained 57 % of the variance in the internalizing problems of adolescents. The main findings of the paper are discussed, and the main caveats are underlined.

Evidence that specific personal relationships help regulate depressive symptoms and related constructs among people with probable major depressive disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction Relational regulation theory describes how social network members (providers of regulation) help people (recipients of regulation) regulate their effect, actions and thoughts through mostly ordinary social interaction. Regulation is relational when the ability of a provider to regulate a recipient is an emergent property of the dyad and not a stable property of the provider or recipient. Research in predominantly well samples has found that dyads evoked affect and self-relevant thought in recipients. The present research examined whether such effects occurred among people with probable major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods A national, internet sample of 2058 US residents was screened for probable MDD. Depressed recipients (N = 152) rated their experience of depression-related constructs when with or thinking about specific providers. Results Recipients’ reports of affect and thought varied strongly depending on the dyad they were with or thinking about. These effects occurred for depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, self-esteem, negative automatic thoughts, hopelessness, excessive reassurance-seeking, reappraisal and emotion suppression. Dyads that evoked depression-related experiences were seen by participants as unsupportive and as evoking conflict. Conclusion Relational regulation appears to occur among people with MDD which provides new insights about interpersonal processes in depression.

An Online Single-Session Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Associated with Multiple Sclerosis-Pilot Study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases in youth, significantly affecting all life domains. Therefore, a strong association between MS, depression and anxiety symptoms has been established. The objective of the present interventional one-group pretest-posttest study is to assess the feasibility of an online single-session intervention (SSI) based on a cognitive behavioral therapy protocol targeting depressive and anxiety symptoms, psychological mechanisms, fatigue and overall health status. Methods: In this pilot study, 31 patients with MS (Mage = 42 years, SD = 12.2) received the online CBT SSI. The impact of the intervention was assessed using validated instruments two weeks after the intervention and after a two-month follow-up period. Results: Statistically significant effects were observed for the reduction of depression, with B = -7.58, 95% CI (-12.84, -2.31) and p < 0.01, and anxiety, with B = -15.17, 95% CI (-18.31, -12.02) and p < 0.001, at post-test and follow-up screening. Additionally, positive outcomes were seen for irrational beliefs at post-test, with B = -25.86, 95% CI (-46.10, -5.61), along with negative automatic thoughts, with B = -4.47, 95% CI (-10.65, 1.71), which were preserved at follow-up. Despite the health status also improving, no significant changes were observed for dysfunctional attitudes and fatigue. Conclusions: This research proves that the online CBT SSI was efficient for decreasing mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety and reducing the intensity of dysfunctional psychological mechanisms in our sample.

Travmaya Bağlı Yaygın Kaygı Bozukluğunda Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi: Olgu Sunumu

A study was conducted based on the DSM5-DSM4 diagnostic criteria of trauma and generalized anxiety disorder. It is the emergence of generalized anxiety disorder of past trauma in future life events due to the occurrence of a traumatic event due to the occurrence of an abusive and unexpected sudden shocking situation. It is a case report of a traumatic event in the past life experience of the client, which is effective in preventing daily life functions such as anxiety, overwhelm, stress, worry, difficulty in focusing, irritability and restlessness that occur in the future life of the client. The client voluntarily applied to a psychologist. Considering the symptoms experienced by the client, the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy was revealed with the emergence of negative automatic thoughts by taking into account the stress, anxiety-reducing technique of the client's cognitive behavioral therapy school. CBT worked with the client once a week with a session duration of 50 minutes. Keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy, Trauma, Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

The Effectiveness of Paradoxical Time Table Technique on Negative Automatic Thoughts, Cognitive Avoidance and Fear of Evaluating Others in People with Social Anxiety Disorder

Background: Social anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by constant fear and avoidance of social situations due to fear of evaluation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of paradoxical time table technique on negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluating others in people with social anxiety disorder. Methods: The current research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all people with social anxiety disorder (50 people) who referred to Derakhshan counseling center in Babolsar city in 2021. The sample included 30 patients who were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 people) and control group (15 people). To collect data, ATQ negative automatic thoughts questionnaire, Sexton &amp; Dugas CAQ cognitive avoidance questionnaire and Watson &amp; Friend fear evaluation questionnaire were used. Research data was analyzed using SPSS-23 software. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the paradoxical timetable technique was significantly effective on negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluation by others (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this research can be used in the treatment of negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluation by others in people with social anxiety disorder.

Resilience as a protective factor against depression in informal caregivers.

Although previous research has demonstrated that resilience can be protective against various mental health conditions such as depression, existing studies examining the relationship between resilience and depression have limitations. To our knowledge, the moderators of the relationship have not been examined. The aim of this study was to determine whether resilience acts as a protective factor against depression in informal caregivers and to examine potential moderators of the relationship between these variables. In this cross-sectional study, 554 randomly selected informal caregivers participated (86.8% women, average age = 55.3 years). Major depressive episode, depressive symptomatology, resilience, positive environmental reward, negative automatic thoughts, self-efficacy, and personality were assessed. A total of 16.1% of informal caregivers met criteria for a depressive episode and 57.4% were at risk of developing depression. The average resilience score was 26.3 (SD = 7.6); 62.6% of participants were in the lower quartile of the resilience scale. The gender of the informal caregiver and self-efficacy acted as moderating variables in the relationship between resilience and depression. The impact of resilience on depressive symptoms was more pronounced in female informal caregivers, and increased as self-efficacy increased. Based on these findings, programs aimed at preventing depression in informal caregivers should focus on promoting resilience, especially in women, and introduce strategies to enhance self-efficacy to increase their impact.

Selection And CBT Treatment Pilot Program Final Evaluation Using IORNS in Macedonian Male Prison Population

The treatment or the resocialization is the most important part of the prison sentence which methods can be individual and group. Motivated inmates and less resistance for the treatment are the main precondition for effective treatment. Appropriate behavior of personnel is the main factor for that result. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the most effective evidence based psychotherapy approach for offender population is a type for inmate treatment. CBT is a result of Aaron Beck pioneering work in the 1960s. CBT model is based on the triangle relationships between cognition, emotions and behavior. The cognition is defined as a product of the three levels: cognitive schemas, negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional thinking or thinking errors. The inventory of risk, need and strengths (IORNS), an risk assessment instrument, based on Risk, need and responsivity (RNR) model, was used for selection of (N=27) inmates and CBT treatment pilot program final evaluation, in Macedonian prison Bitola. The evaluation was done by comparing pre and post test measures in (N=12) male inmates, as optimal number for group psychotherapy treatment. According to the RNR model the treatment program needs to be oriented to the inmates needs. Implementing CBT treatment program for group psychotherapy and IORNS as short screening tool in Macedonian prisons was the aim of the project supported by the Council of Europe in this work. The results showed significant lower Procriminal attitudes but higher Aggression because of higher Aggressive behavior in the post measures. Results and instrument can be used in next CBT programs evaluations for better rehabilitation of prison inmates and reducing recidivism.

The Path from Personality to Anxiety and Depression Is Mediated by Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative immunological disease causing significant impairment in all life areas. Therefore, personality changes are observed and associated with higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders. Considering this relationship, we hypothesized that clinical symptoms and personality disorders are more prevalent in MS and that dysfunctional psychological mechanisms mediate the path from personality disorders to clinical symptoms. The study sample consisted of 43 patients with MS (age M = 41.9, SD = 11.5) and 31 controls (age M = 39.8, SD = 10.3). Measures of personality, anxiety, depression, fatigue, health status, and dysfunctional psychological mechanisms were conducted. The prevalence of clinical symptoms was increased in MS patients as compared to controls. Also, dependent and schizoid personality traits (PTs) were observed in the patient sample. Negative automatic thoughts (NATs) were found to mediate the association between dependent PT and clinical symptoms. Along with schizoid PT, all dysfunctional psychological mechanisms impacted clinical symptoms. The results of our research are in line with previous studies showing that anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional personality traits are more prevalent in MS as compared to controls. PTs and dysfunctional psychological mechanisms predicted depression, anxiety, fatigue, and health status in MS patients. Cognition acts as a strong mediator between PTs and psychopathology in MS. Hence, integrative personalized psychological treatment is recommended to improve the quality of care in MS.

Reliability and validation of the Japanese version of the cognitive distortion scale.

The cognitive distortion scale (CDS) is a self-rated measure to assess the degree of cognitive distortion which is 10 thinking errors commonly seen in depression. However, there is no scale to measure 10 types cognitive distortions specific to depression in Japan. Therefore, this study translated the CDS into Japanese (CDS-J), and examined its factor structure, validity, and reliability in a Japanese population. A total of 237 healthy individuals and 39 individuals with depression participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the appropriateness of the CDS-J's 10-factor structure. Regarding convergent validity, CDS-J was significantly correlated with dysfunctional attitudes, negative automatic thoughts, and depression. Regarding discriminant validity, the CDS-J showed no significant correlation with positive automatic thoughts. The total CDS-J scores of the healthy participants and of those with major depression were compared. The results showed significant differences between groups. Finally, the CDS-J was found to have a high test-retest reliability. Therefore, the CDS-J is a valid and reliable tool for assessing cognitive distortions in Japan.

Assessment of Automatic Thoughts and Self Esteem Among Substance Using Adults

Abstract: In order to better understand how altering one's ideas might improve one's self-esteem and help one cope with substance misuse issues, this study looked at the relationship between automatic thoughts and self-esteem in adult substance users. In order to participate in the study, a sample of 95 persons who use drugs filled out self-report questionnaires measuring their automatic thought patterns and self-esteem. The findings showed that among adults who use drugs, automatic thoughts and levels of self-esteem are significantly correlated. In particular, people with greater levels of self-esteem were more likely to report having good automatic thoughts, whereas people with lower levels of self-esteem were more likely to report having negative automatic thoughts. Additionally, the results indicated that treating and changing automatic negative beliefs could be a useful intervention technique for enhancing self-worth and supporting the treatment of substance misuse problems.