Measures Of Cognitive Distortions Research Articles

Decision-Making Styles, Negative Affectivity, and Cognitive Distortions in Adolescent Gambling.

Evidences from the extant literature suggest that problem gamblers show higher cognitive distortions and reported experiencing higher levels of negative affective states than recreational gamblers. Furthermore, several studies reported that the more the gambling severity, the poorer the performance in behavioral tasks assessing affective decision-making. Although gambling research on decision-making has mostly focused on the functional or dysfunctional outcomes of the decisional process, no study examined the role of decision-making styles in gambling disorder. This study aimed to first investigate the interplay among negative affectivity, cognitive distortions, and decision-making styles in adolescent problem gambling. Four hundred and twenty-five adolescents, aged between 14 and 19years, completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents to assess problem gambling, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 to measure negative affective states, and the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale as a measure of cognitive distortions about gambling, and the General Decision-Making Style tapping habitual patterns which individuals use in decision-making. Data were submitted to correlational analysis, univariate and mixed-model ANOVAs, and hierarchical regression analysis. Regression analysis indicated that, along with gender, interpretative bias and inability to stop gambling, depression, and spontaneous decision-making style significantly predicted gambling severity. These results extend further previous studies on the role of misconceptions about gambling, and negative affective states in adolescent gambling, and, interestingly, first demonstrate that also maladaptive decision-making styles may represent a risk factor for gambling disorder.

Does the adapted sex offender treatment programme reduce cognitive distortions? A meta-analysis

PurposeFor the 3.8 per cent of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) who have offended sexually, the main form of treatment is the group-based, cognitive-behavioural, adapted sex offender treatment programme (ASOTP) that focusses on challenging cognitive distortions condoning sex offending. The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of how effective the ASOTP is at reducing ID sex offenders’ cognitive distortions.Design/methodology/approachThree databases were searched systematically: PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Web of Science. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 118 participants. Using a random-effects model, effect sizes were calculated using pre- and post-treatment scores on a measure of cognitive distortions. The standardised mean difference (SMD) was 1.77 (95 per cent CI: 1.06, 2.46), which was statistically significant (p<0.001) and “large”. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that this SMD was robust, and a check for publication bias revealed that it was unlikely that the “file drawer problem” confounded the meta-analysis.FindingsThese results indicated that the ASOTP can significantly reduce ID sex offenders’ cognitive distortions, regardless of treatment length, IQ level, language abilities, or offence type. Consistent with earlier reports, longer treatment resulted in the greatest reductions: the optimum treatment length was 24 months.Research limitations/implicationsThe ASOTP’s current evidence is comprised wholly of case and quasi-experimental studies, none of which employed control groups. This paper highlights how there is a dire need for high-quality experimental evaluation of the ASOTP.Practical implicationsClinicians are advised to continue using the ASOTP as the main treatment for ID sex offenders until the effectiveness of the ASOTP is further examined using randomised controlled trials.Originality/valueThis is the first meta-analytic review of the effectiveness of the ASOTP.

Distorted Beliefs about Luck and Skill and Their Relation to Gambling Problems and Gambling Behavior in Dutch Gamblers.

Gamblers’ cognitive distortions are thought to be an important mechanism involved in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. The Gambling Cognitions Inventory (GCI) evaluates two categories of distortions: beliefs that one is lucky (i.e., “Luck/Chance”) and beliefs that one has special gambling-related skills (i.e., “Skill/Attitude”). Prior psychometric evaluations of the GCI demonstrated the utility of both subscales as measures of distortions and their concurrent relations to gambling problems among Canadian gamblers. However, these associations have not yet been studied in gamblers from other cultures nor have relationships between the GCI and indices of gambling behavior been investigated. In addition, the predictive validity of the GCI scales have not been evaluated in studies to date. The present study investigated the validity of the GCI as a measure of cognitive distortions in a sample of 49 Dutch gamblers by examining its concurrent and prospective relationships to both gambling problems (as measured through a standardized nine-item questionnaire assessing gambling-related problems) and behaviors (as measured through two variables: days spent gambling and time spent gambling in minutes) at baseline and over 1-month and 6-month intervals. The GCI subscales were internally consistent at all timepoints, and moderately to strongly inter-correlated at all timepoints. Each subscale correlated with an independent dimension of gambling both concurrently and prospectively: Luck/Chance was related to greater gambling problems and Skill/Attitude was related to greater gambling behavior. Thus, the two GCI subscales, while inter-correlated, appear to be related to different gambling outcomes, at least among Dutch gamblers. Moreover, the first evidence of the predictive validity of the GCI scales was demonstrated over a 1-month and 6-month interval. It is recommended that both types of cognitive distortions be considered in research and clinical practice to fully understand and address individual risk for excessive and problematic gambling.

The Parental Bonding Instrument: A psychometric measure to assess parenting practices in the homes in Bangladesh.

There is growing importance of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in clinical practice and research on parenting and parental bonding. Since the development of this diagnostic tool (Parker et al., Brit. J. Med. Psycho.1979; 52:1-10), a number of validation studies have been done in various cultures. The aim of the present study was to translate the measure into Bangla and validate in Bangladeshi culture. A total of 200 adolescents participated in the study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the data from 191 participants (who provided complete responses) identified a two-factor (Care and Overprotection) structure of the PBI with 17 items. The two factors together explained 44.18% of the total variance. The factors showed moderate to very high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.863 for Care; 0.622 for Overprotection), and very strong convergent and discriminant validity as evident by their correlations with the measures of cognitive distortions and antisocial behaviors. In line with the original tool we defined four types of parenting style, such as Affectionate constraint, Affectionless control, Optimal parenting, and Neglectful parenting. This study opens the door of future research on parenting practices and parent-child relationships in Bangladesh.

Assessment of the relationship between self-reported cognitive distortions and adult ADHD, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness

The current chart review study examined the relationship between self-reported cognitive distortions, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and co-occurring symptoms of depression and anxiety in a clinical sample of adults diagnosed with ADHD. Thirty subjects completed inventories measuring cognitive distortions, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as part of the standard diagnostic evaluation protocol used in a university-based outpatient clinic specializing in adult ADHD. A series of correlational analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between self-reported cognitive distortions, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Results indicated a significant, positive correlation between self-reported cognitive distortions and ADHD. Responses to individual items on the measure of cognitive distortions were tabulated to identify the prevalence of specific cognitive distortion categories, with Perfectionism emerging as the most frequently endorsed. Further clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Attitude May Be Everything, But Is Everything an Attitude? Cognitive Distortions May Not Be Evaluations of Rape.

Cognitive distortions are often referred to as attitudes toward rape in theory, research, and clinical practice pertaining to sexual aggression. In the social-psychological literature, however, attitudes are typically defined as evaluations; thus, in this context, attitudes toward rape are considered evaluations of rape (e.g., rape is negative vs. positive). The purpose of the current study was to explore whether a widely used measure of cognitive distortions (RAPE Scale; Bumby, 1996) assesses evaluation of rape, and, if not, whether evaluation of rape and the cognitions assessed by the RAPE Scale are independently associated with sexually aggressive behavior. Participants (660 male undergraduate students) completed the RAPE Scale as well as measures of evaluation of rape and sexually aggressive behavior. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that the RAPE Scale items formed a correlated but distinct factor from the Evaluation of Rape Scale items. Regression analyses indicated that the Evaluation of Rape Scale and the RAPE Scale had small to moderate independent associations with self-report measures of sexually aggressive behavior. Our results suggest that evaluation of rape may be distinct from cognitive distortions regarding rape, and both evaluation and cognitive distortions may be relevant for understanding sexual violence.

A psychometric examination of treatment change in a multisite sample of treated Canadian federal sexual offenders.

In the present study, we examined the degree of change and predictive accuracy of a number of well-known psychological self-report measures intended to identify treatment targets for sexual offenders. Participants included 392 federally incarcerated sexual offenders who participated in low, moderate, or high intensity sexual offender programs offered within penitentiaries under the jurisdiction of the Correctional Service of Canada. These men were followed in the community for an average of 5.42 years postrelease. Very small to moderate pretreatment and posttreatment changes were found on measures of cognitive distortions, aggression/hostility, empathy, loneliness, social intimacy, and sex offender acceptance of responsibility. However, pretreatment and posttreatment scores on these measures frequently demonstrated weak and inconsistent relationships to sexual, violent, and general recidivism. In addition, within-treatment change on these measures bore little relationship to outcome. However, when statistically corrected for pretreatment score the relationship of treatment change to outcome frequently improved, particularly on measures of physical aggression and anger, even after controlling for Static-99R score. Clinical and research implications are discussed regarding the assessment and evaluation of change on psychological risk factors in treated sexual offenders.

The Effect of a Cognitive Treatment Program for Male and Female Juvenile Offenders

This study assessed the effectiveness of a cognitive intervention treatment program for juvenile offenders, which is called the Juvenile Cognitive Intervention Program. The program was provided to incarcerated delinquents at three juvenile correctional facilities in Wisconsin. The results indicated that using the How I Think (HIT) Questionnaire as a measure of change, significant improvement in reducing cognitive distortions were found across age groups and gender, and included individuals who were unable to successfully complete the program the first time and then completed it successfully. The HIT is a measure of cognitive distortions that are associated with delinquent thinking patterns and behavior. Cognitive change is a major focus of treatment programs in juvenile corrections as there has been substantive research demonstrating a link to reduced delinquent and later criminal behavior.

Are Cognitive Distortions Associated With Denial and Minimization Among Sex Offenders?

Although there has been much speculation about the relationship between cognitive distortions and denial/minimization, little research on the subject is available. The authors conducted secondary analyses on existing data sets to further examine the degree of association between various measures of cognitive distortions and denial/minimization among child molesters (Sample 1, n = 73; Sample 2, n = 42; Sample 3, n = 38) and rapists (Sample 1, n = 41; Sample 3, n = 14). Meta-analysis of the findings from Samples 1, 2, and 3 indicated that greater endorsement of cognitive distortions about sex offending in general was significantly associated with greater denial/minimization of one's own guilt and deviance (r = .24), harm to one's own victims (r = .32), one's need for treatment (r = .21), and responsibility for one's sex offenses (r = .16). Although correlated, cognitive distortions and denial/minimization, at least as typically measured, are distinct constructs.

Empathy deficits and cognitive distortions in child molesters.

An attempt was made to examine the thesis that the apparent empathy deficits in child molesters are simply another aspect of their self-serving tendency to distort information by, in this case, failing to recognize victim harm. Thirty-four child molesters were compared on a victim empathy measure and a measure of cognitive distortions, with 24 nonsex offenders and 28 nonoffending males. Child molesters displayed greater cognitive distortions than the other subjects and their greatest empathy deficits were toward their own victims. Consistent with the theory being examined it was found that the empathy scores of the child molesters toward their own victims were significantly correlated with the responses to the cognitive distortions scale. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and practice.

Cognitive and family therapies for adolescent depression: Treatment specificity, mediation, and moderation.

The specificity of cognitive and family therapies, and potential treatment mediators and moderators, was examined in a randomized clinical trial for adolescent depression. After acute treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) exerted specific effects on cognitive distortions relative to either systemic-behavioral family therapy (SBFT) or nondirective supportive therapy (NST). At 2-year follow-up, SBFT was found to impact family conflict and parent-child relationship problems more than CBT; NST and CBT tended to show a greater reduction in anxiety symptoms than SBFT. Nonspecific therapist variables qualified few outcome analyses. No measures of cognitive distortion or family dysfunction mediated or moderated treatment outcome. As in adult studies, relatively few areas of treatment specificity or mediation were identified. The implications of these findings for clinical treatment and research in adolescent depression are discussed.

Articulated thoughts of maritally violent and nonviolent men during anger arousal.

The cognitive correlates of anger arousal were investigated in community-based samples of maritally violent (MV), maritally distressed-nonviolent (DNV), and maritally satisfied-nonviolent (SNV) husbands. Participants performed the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) paradigm while listening to anger-arousing audiotapes. Trained raters coded for irrational beliefs, cognitive biases, hostile attributional biases, and anger control statements. Results indicated that MV men articulated significantly more irrational thoughts and cognitive biases than DNV and SNV men. MV men articulated more hostile attributional biases than DNV and SNV men across all ATSS scenarios. SNV men, however, articulated more anger control statements during ATSS anger arousal than MV or DNV participants. Discriminant function analyses indicated that specific thoughts discriminated between the groups and differentiated mildly from severely violent participants. ATSS cognitive distortions (a) were not correlated with questionnaire measures of cognitive distortion, and (b) were superior to questionnaire measures in discriminating between the groups. The findings are interpreted in light of recent advances in understanding the relationship between information processing, anger, and marital aggression.

Cognitive Distortions and Adolescent Affective Disorder

Despite a proliferation of recent research examining childhood and adolescent depression, the area still lags behind the adult depression field, particularly in the investigation of cognitive correlates of affective psychopathology. To advance cognitive research with youth, the Children's Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) was developed to provide a measure of cognitive distortions or errors in children and adolescents. Yet, few studies have employed the CNCEQ and no evidence exists supporting the validity of its four component cognitive error scales. The purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of the CNCEQ and its constituent scales through the use of factor analysis and criterion-group comparisons. Groups of adolescent psychiatric inpatients, diagnosed as affective or disruptive disordered, completed the CNCEQ following admission. Results failed to support the implicit four-factor structure of the CNCEQ, instead suggesting the appropriateness of a single-factor solution labeled "negative thinking." Despite no diagnostic group differences on the CNCEQ total or other scale scores, affective disordered patients evinced more cognitive errors on the Overgeneralizing scale. Findings suggest that the CNCEQ in its current stage of development holds promise, yet requires refinement to produce a valid measure of cognitive functioning in youth.

The Rorschach test for predicting suicide among depressed adolescent inpatients.

With the decreasing length of psychiatric hospitalizations, identification of test indicators of suicide risk becomes critically important. This Rorschach study was designed to model a clinical decision-making scenario concerning adolescent suicide risk. Using Psychiatric Evaluation Form (PEF) scores, we selected a sample of 25 severely depressed and suicidal adolescents; 26 severely depressed, not suicidal adolescents; and 28 not suicidal, not depressed adolescent inpatients at The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital. A Rorschach Index using the Exner (1986) Comprehensive System for scoring was developed to predict group membership. Four of six of the features on this index selected 64% of suicidal subjects. This constellation included traditional affective variables (vista responses, color-shading blends, color dominated responses, and morbid content) as well as measures of cognitive distortion (inaccurately perceived human movement responses [M-] and special scores). We discuss the implications of these findings for the diagnosis and treatment of the suicidal adolescent.

Cognitive therapy with depressed inpatients: Specific effects on dysfunctional cognitions.

Specificity of cognitive change following cognitive therapy for depression was assessed in 39 depressed inpatients who completed either a standard inpatient treatment (pharmacotherapy and milieu management) or the standard treatment plus cognitive therapy. Following treatment, patients in both groups endorsed fewer dysfunctional cognitions on 2 of 4 measures of cognitive distortion. Compared with patients receiving only the standard treatment, patients also receiving cognitive therapy reported less hopelessness and fewer cognitive biases at posttreatment and 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments and fewer dysfunctional attitudes at the 6-month follow-up. Treatment effects for dysfunctional cognitions were found even though the treatment groups did not differ in depression severity, suggesting that results did not reflect state-dependent differences between treatments secondary to difference in depression.

Suicidality in Affectively Disordered Adolescent Inpatients

Forty-two suicidal and 14 nonsuicidal affectively ill adolescent psychiatric inpatients were compared with respect to clinical phenomenology and measures of cognitive distortion, social skills, and familial-environmental stress. The suicidal group had an earlier onset and longer duration of affective illness and greater self-rated depression. The suicidal group also evinced greater cognitive distortion, less assertiveness, a greater likelihood of both a history and exposure to familial suicidality, and more life stressors within the 12 months prior to hospitalization. Among those suicidal patients who presented with a suicide attempt, suicidal intent was related to "double depression," comorbidity with substance abuse or conduct disorder, lack of assertiveness, family conflict, and family history of suicidal behavior. Early identification and treatment of affectively ill youth that target the above-noted domains may prevent much of the associated morbidity and mortality due to suicidality.

Cognitive distortions and depression in psychiatrically disturbed adolescent inpatients

Beck's model of depression was examined with 110 hospitalized adolescents. Intercorrelations among measures of cognitive distortions and depression supported the downward extension of Beck's theorizing to adolescent inpatients. Inconsistencies between data sources (parent vs. child) suggest possible self-report contamination or the insensitivities of adult caregivers to the subjective elements of depression. The findings also may relate to unstable, developmental aspects of depressed episodes.

Global versus Specific Cognitive Measures and their Relationship to Assertion Deficits

Assertion deficits are hypothesized to be due to either skill deficits or cognitive appraisal. Several correlational studies, however, have found only a modest relationship or association between assertion deficits and measures of cognitive distortion. This may be a consequence of utilizing measures of cognitions that are "global" rather than situation or problem specific (Mischel, 1968). This study directly compared the relative strength of association of global cognitive measures versus an assertion specific cognitive measure with assertion. The assertion specific measure was more strongly related to assertion skills as compared to the global cognitive measures. Implications for this finding is discussed.

Thinking styles and coping strategies of depressed women: an empirical investigation

Thinking styles and coping behaviour were assessed in 13 unipolar depressed female inpatients and 12 nondepressed female control Ss. Measures of cognitive distortion and the willingness to cope were significantly correlated with the diagnosis and severity of depression. Combined, these measures predicted 55% of the variance in depression scores. Depressed women had more negatively distorted thoughts, and reported less coping behaviour when they were upset. They were less willing to try potentially helpful coping activities and had lower expectations than nondepressed individuals that coping efforts would be helpful. The additive, independent contributions of cognitive and motivational factors suggest that both should be considered in the etiology and treatment of depression.

Assessment of cognitive distortion in a clinically depressed population

The Cognitive Bias Questionnaire, the Present State Examination, the Beck Depression Inventory, and an expectancy of success measure were administered to depressed and nondepressed psychiatric inpatients. The depressed subjects selected significantly more depressed distortions on the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire than did the nondepressed subjects. Results also revealed that depressed distortion scores from the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire correlated significantly with measures of cognitive distortion obtained from the Beck Depression Inventory, the Present State Examination, and an experimental task. Although primary and secondary depressed groups did not differ significantly in their responses to the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire, depressed subjects who endorsed high levels of depressed distortion revealed significantly more cognitive symptoms of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Present State Examination, and evidenced a nonsignificant trend to expect less success prior to an experimental task. Implications of these results for future research in this area are discussed.