Levels Of Irrational Beliefs Research Articles

Procrastination Among Adults: The Role of Self-doubt, Fear of the Negative Evaluation, and Irrational/Rational Beliefs

Procrastination is often associated with negative outcomes such as poor performance and well-being. Theoretical models suggest that individuals with an uncertain self-concept may be more prone to procrastination due to their fear of failing to meet the required standard. To investigate this issue from a cognitive perspective, a cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationships among self-doubt, fear of negative evaluation, procrastination, and rational/irrational beliefs. The study involved 344 highly educated adults (65.4% female, M= 37.51 years, SD = 8.53, range 21-63). Participants completed a questionnaire booklet that included several measures, including the Self-doubt Scale, the Procrastination Scale, the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the Irrational/Rational Beliefs Scale. The findings from the mediation analysis indicate that the influence of self-doubt on procrastination is partially mediated by fear of negative evaluation. Furthermore, the indirect effect of self-doubt on procrastination through the mediation of fear of negative evaluation is contingent upon the level of irrational beliefs. These results suggest that irrational beliefs may exacerbate the detrimental impact of self-doubt on procrastination by amplifying the role of fear of negative evaluation. Furthermore, the strength of the direct effect of self-doubt on procrastination depends on the level of rational belief, indicating that rational belief may serve as a protective variable in the relationship between self-doubt and procrastination. The present findings underline interventions to strengthen individuals' rational beliefs and modify their irrational beliefs, which can play a fundamental role in overcoming procrastination in the adult population.

Predictive Influence of Irrational Beliefs on Self-esteem of University Students with Late Blindness

Poor self-esteem is a major threat to the well-being of individuals with late blindness. The influence of irrational beliefs on the self-esteem of Nigerian university students with late blindness was investigated in the present study. Data were collected from 363 university students with late blindness using Brailed versions of Adapted General Attitude and Belief Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Pearlin Mastery Scale. Data collected were analyzed using regression analysis. The results among others provided empirical support for general rational/irrational beliefs score as a significant predictor of students’ self-esteem. Results further revealed that the four dimensions of irrational beliefs [demandingness (DEM), awfulizing/catastrophizing (AWF), self downing (SD) and frustration intolerance] were related to self-esteem among university students with late blindness. The relationships of DEM, AWF, and SD with self-esteem were negatively significant, while FI did not have a significant relationship with self-esteem. Total irrationality score, as well as three of the four irrational beliefs dimensions (DEM, AWF, and SD), predicted self-esteem significantly in a negative direction such that high DEM, AWF, and SD accounted for poor self-esteem. Sense of mastery, gender, and age at onset of blindness moderated the influences of irrational beliefs dimensions on the self-esteem. It was concluded that the self-esteem of students decreases at a significant level as the level of irrational beliefs increases, and the opposite is implied when their irrational beliefs decrease.

Irrational beliefs, depression, anxiety, and stress among university students in Hong Kong

Academic stress, depression, and anxiety among university students has been a great concern globally. Literature review shows that university students may harbor irrational beliefs that could play a significant role in causing emotional disturbances. Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the relationship of irrational beliefs with emotional disturbances in university students, and the differences in irrational beliefs and depression, anxiety, and stress between students with different socio-demographic and academic backgrounds. Participants and method: Data was collected from 655 local Hong Kong university students. Results and conclusions: University students having higher levels of irrational beliefs were more likely to have depression, anxiety, and stress. Two-way MANOVA results showed that second-year students had more awfulizing beliefs than third-year students in the faculties of Engineering and Education. Results of ANOVA and the Independent Sample t-test revealed that male students, students from low income families, Law students, those pursuing 5-year programs, or those in the second year of study were likely to have more irrational beliefs. In addition, male students, medical students, those studying 5-year programs were found having significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Limitations and implications were discussed.

The Effects of Psychological Environment Warmth and Irrational Beliefs on Middle School Students' Anger Expression Styles

This study examined the effects of psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs on adolescents" anger expression styles. 348 male and female middle school students in Seoul were surveyed. The results showed that: (1) Psychological environment warmth was higher in female than male. Level of irrational beliefs about achievement, self-downing, hypersensitivity on disregard and unfairness, approval, anger-out and anger-in were higher in male than female. (2) There were significant correlations among psychological environment warmth, irrational beliefs and anger expression styles. (3) Psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs about self-downing, low frustration tolerance and hypersensitivity on disregard and unfairness influenced on male’s anger-out. Psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs about achievement and hypersensitivity on disregard and unfairness influenced on male’s anger-in. Male’s anger-control was influenced by psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs about achievement, self-downing and need for approval. Female’s anger-out was influenced by irrational beliefs about self downing, low frustration tolerance, hypersensitivity on disregard and unfairness and need for approval. Female’s anger-in was influenced by psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs about self-downing and approval. Female’s anger-control was influenced by psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs about achievement, low frustration tolerance and hypersensitivity on disregard and unfairness. The results of this study provided information about the effects of psychological environment warmth and irrational beliefs on adolescents’ anger expression styles.

A Meta-Analytical Approach of the Relationships Between the Irrationality of Beliefs and the Functionality of Automatic Thoughts

Although irrational beliefs (IBs) and automatic thoughts (ATs) have been proposed as mechanisms that contribute to psychopathology in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model, surprisingly, no previous study systematically evaluated the magnitude and direction of the relationship between the two central constructs. Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate this association, considering its theoretical and clinical importance. We conducted a systematic search of the literature and included 34 experimental and correlational studies suited for the purpose of this meta-analysis, comprising 5086 participants. Results indicated a significant (p < .001) medium sized association (r = .43) for the relationship between the irrationality of beliefs and the functionality of ATs, higher levels of IBs being associated with more dysfunctional ATs. The magnitude of the relationship does not depend on the specific CBT theoretical model through which the two variables were approached and it is not influenced by the context, nor by the object of the beliefs. However, the content of beliefs appears to impact on this relationship, given that the results revealed a significant (p < .001) large effect size (r = .58) for the association of ATs with certainty beliefs, but no association was present for control beliefs. Results also suggest that primary and secondary IBs equally impact on ATs’ functionality and should be equally addressed in psychological interventions. Further theoretical and practical implications, and future directions are discussed.

Life satisfaction and beliefs about self and the world in patients with psoriasis: A brief assessment

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can decrease the level of self-esteem, leading to self-devaluation, emotional distress, irrational beliefs and discomfort in everyday life. In this study, we aimed to provide a deeper understanding of lifestyle satisfaction and to identify the nature and magnitude of irrational beliefs in patients with psoriasis. A two-year case-control study was carried out between 2010 and 2012. The study enrolled 100 consecutive patients with psoriasis vulgaris, admitted to a dermatology clinic and 101 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics, willing to subject themselves to the testing. A series of standardized questionnaires were used, including: The Anamnestic Questionnaire, The General Attitudes and Beliefs Scale - Short version, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, The Self-Efficacy Scale and The Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire. The tests revealed a strong correlation between the presence of the disease and the decrease of subject's satisfaction regarding: body satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, social satisfaction, family satisfaction, professional satisfaction and satisfaction concerning their own health condition; p<0.01. There were highly significant differences with a large effect regarding the level of irrational beliefs between the two groups of subjects (p<0.01; f > 0.35). The focus on psychological impacts of the disease provides important data for a holistic approach to patients with psoriasis. Effective cooperation between all the parties involved (physicians, family and social network) is necessary to improve the patient's psychological status.

Irrational Beliefs in Employees with an Adjustment, a Depressive, or an Anxiety Disorder: a Prospective Cohort Study

It remains unclear if patients with different types of common mental disorders, such as adjustment, anxiety and depressive disorders, have the same irrational ideas. The aim of this prospective cohort study (n = 190) is to investigate differences in level and type of irrational beliefs among these groups and to examine whether a change in irrational beliefs is related to symptom recovery. Irrational beliefs (IBI) and symptoms were measured at four points in time: at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results showed that diagnostic groups differed in their level of irrational beliefs and this effect remained over time. Highest levels of irrationality were observed in the double diagnosis group, followed by the anxiety disorder group and the depression group. Participants with adjustment disorders showed the lowest levels of irrationality, comparable to a community sample. We did not find differences in the type of irrational beliefs between diagnostic groups. The level of irrationality declined over time for all diagnostic groups. No differences in decrease were observed between diagnostic groups. The magnitude and direction of change in irrational beliefs were related to the magnitude of recovery of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms over time. These results support the application of general cognitive interventions, especially for patients with a depressive or an anxiety disorder.

Gambling-related Irrational Beliefs in the Maintenance and Modification of Gambling Behaviour

The present study investigated a primary assumption of the cognitive theory of problem gambling, that gambling-related irrational beliefs lead directly to problematic gambling behaviour. Participants (N =114) received a message designed to increase their illusion of control (IOC) over a computerised roulette game, a message designed to decrease their IOC, or a neutral message. Participants then played the game, during which their gambling behaviour was recorded and irrational beliefs were measured. Based on the cognitive model, it was expected that those receiving the IOC enhancement message would evidence greater levels of irrational beliefs and correspondingly more intense gambling behaviour and that those in the IOC reduction condition would show decreased levels of both irrational beliefs and behaviour. However, although conditions differed as to levels of irrational beliefs, there were no significant differences in gambling behaviour. Results are discussed and implications of the results on the cognitive theory of problematic gambling are explored.

Impact of warning and brief intervention messages on knowledge of gambling risk, irrational beliefs and behaviour

This analog study examined whether warning and brief intervention messages would increase gamblers' knowledge of odds, alter level of irrational beliefs, and influence gambling behaviour on a computerized roulette game. College‐age participants (N = 101) were matched on level of gambling irrational beliefs and self‐efficacy and then randomly assigned to receive a warning message, a warning message plus information on limit setting and irrational beliefs, or a video about gambling history. Participants were then allowed to play roulette. In contrast to those who watched the video only, participants in the two message conditions showed greater knowledge of the risks of gambling. The limit‐setting strategy produced significant reductions in gambling‐related irrational beliefs. Across conditions, participants did not gamble differently. These results suggest that warning messages might have informational value and that limit‐setting strategies hold promise for producing cognitive change in gamblers. Under the present analog procedure, such messages did not significantly affect gambling behaviour.