[Development of a questionnaire of irrational attitudes: results of a representative survey]

A representative sample of 1210 persons was tested with the German version of an irrational attitudes inventory (Plutchik 1976). Factorial analyses resulted in four dimensions. Scales with sufficient reliability (Cronbach's Alpha) were constructed. Correlations with sex and age were only marginal - but with subjective distress in several life areas and with estimates of stress reactions the scales correlated considerably high. It was concluded that reliability and validity of the irrational attitudes inventory proposed its use in behavioural analysis and treatment planning with psychotherapy patients.