The Cognitive Bias Questionnaire: further evidence

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Depressive cognitions are a key feature of depression.
• The Cognitive Bias Questionnaire (CBQ) was developed to measure these cognitions.
• Previous research suggested the CBQ's validity, but further evidence was needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide further evidence for the validity of the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire (CBQ).
• To assess the relationship between CBQ scores and other measures of depression and mood.
• To examine the correlation between CBQ responses and independently assessed depressive verbal behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Forty depressed students completed the CBQ, general depression measures, and mood measures.
• Independent raters analyzed tape-recorded self-descriptions for negative/positive self-statements and depressive tone.
• Convergent and discriminant validity of the CBQ were assessed.

Main Results:

• The study replicated previous findings on the convergent and discriminant validity of the CBQ.
• Depressed-distorted responses on the CBQ significantly correlated with independently assessed depressive verbal behaviors.
• Nondepressed-nondistorted responses also showed significant correlations with depressive verbal behaviors.

Conclusions:

• The Cognitive Bias Questionnaire (CBQ) is a valid measure of depressive cognitions.
• CBQ scores align with other indicators of depression and observable verbal patterns.
• The findings support the CBQ's utility in assessing cognitive aspects of depression.