Cognitive vulnerability to depression: an exploration of dysfunctional attitudes and ruminative response styles in the United Arab Emirates
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Published on: May 19, 2015
Justin Thomas1, Belkeis Altareb
1Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. justin.thomas@zu.ac.ae
Background:
There has been little exploration of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and Nolen-Hoeksem's response styles theory within Arab populations.
Objectives:
The study investigates the generalizability of these clinically influential models to Emirati citizens residing within United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Method:
An opportunity sample of 450 undergraduate participants was assessed for dysfunctional attitudes using an Arabic/English 40-item version of Weissman and Beck's Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Participants also completed Arabic/English versions of Nolen-Hoeksema's ruminative response styles (RRS) scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).
Results:
Correlation and regression analyses showed depression to be associated with both RRS and dysfunctional attitudes.
Conclusion:
The study supports the generalization of these clinically influential theories of depression within a UAE context.
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