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Irrational ideas. Older vs. younger inpatients
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|April 1, 1985
Summary
Older and younger psychiatric inpatients show no differences in irrational beliefs. However, depression correlates with irrationality in older adults, but not younger ones.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- The rational-emotive model has not been applied to explore age-related differences in irrational beliefs among psychiatric inpatients.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if older and younger psychiatric inpatients differ in irrational beliefs.
- To determine if older adults with depression exhibit different irrational beliefs compared to older adults without depression.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 58 younger (<45 years) and 54 older (>55 years) psychiatric inpatients were assessed upon admission.
- Psychological tests, including the Idea Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, were administered.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in irrational beliefs between older and younger psychiatric inpatients.
- Older and younger depressed groups did not differ in irrationality scores.
- Correlation analysis revealed that depression was associated with irrationality in the older group, but not the younger group.
Conclusions:
- Age does not appear to be a differentiating factor for irrational beliefs in psychiatric inpatients.
- The relationship between depression and irrationality is age-dependent, being significant in older adults.
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