Cognitive Distortions and Depression among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Dysfunctional thoughts manifest themselves in regular moods of depression. This study explored the relationship between cognitive distortions and depression among undergraduate students. The study also examined the influence of students’ personal characteristics (gender, age, and educational level) on cognitive distortions and depression. A total of two hundred undergraduate students from the University of Ghana responded to both Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ). Analyses of data reveal a positive and significant relationship between cognitive distortions and depression. However, no relationship was found between age and cognitive distortions and depression. Again, there was no gender difference in depression and cognitive distortions. Finally, there was a significant impact of educational level on depression but not on cognitive distortions. The findings of the study are discussed.

Keywords: Cognitive distortions, depression, undergraduate students, age, gender, and educational level