Research News

Supervised by Dr. Roquia Begum

Abstract

Cognitive Distortion (CD) is the cognition which is logical but not rational that plays a significant roie in the development and maintenance of different psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety etc. Aiming to understand cognitive distortions in Bangladeshi perspective it was designed to explore different patterns of cognitive distortions by thought listing among different psychiatric patients and normal population. Dysftinctional Attitude Scale (DAS Form-A) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ- 28) were also used along with thought listing to understand cognitive distortions comprehensively and its impact on mental health. 10 clinical (mean age=27.3 years, M:F=1:1) and 10 non-clinical (mean age=28 years, M:F=1:1) sample were purposively drawn and they were assessed with qualitative tools along with some quantitative scales. By content analysis it was found that overgeneralization, jumping to conclusion, magnification and minimization, emotional reasoning and labeling-mislabeling types of cognitive distortions were present among most (80-90%)of the clinical sample. On the other hand should statement, emotional reasoning and jumping to conclusion were found among most (40-50%) of the non-clinical sample but the rate was significantly lower than clinical sample. The intensity of magnification and minimization was greater than all other CDs among clinical sample but should statement was most intensive among non-clinical sample. It was also found that all clinical samples had significantly higher rates of cognitive distortion than non-clinical sample and depressive patients among clinical sample had the highest rate of cognitive distortion than all other disorders. It was also found among all clinical and half of the non-clinical samples that CDs had a negative impact on mental health and negatively or positively punishing life experiences contribute a lot to develop the distorted perception pattern. By quantitative analysis it was seen that 100% of clinical and 90% of non-clinical sample had clinical level of dysfunctional attitude that indicates the presence of clinical level of cognitive distortion among both group of sample but there was a significant difference in mean DAS score of the two groups. By relational analysis it was seen that the frequency of cognitive distortion, the DAS score and GHQ total score as well as subscale score were higher among clinical sample than non-clinical sample that indicates an underlying relationship among cognitive distortion, E)ysfbnctional attitude and General mental health status. The present study concluded that different patterns of cognitive distortions are intensively common among psychiatric clients which influence to deteriorate the psychological quality of life. To prevent and treat those problems and to ensure healthy development of mind Cognitive Behavior Therapy should be available for ail.