Dysfunctional Attitudes as Predictors of Vulnerability to Depressive Symptoms
This study explored the cognitive vulnerability diathesis-stress model of depression (Beck, 1967). A total of 80 participants were assigned into 4 diagnostic groups according to the manifestations of depressive symptomatology using the Becks depression inventory, (BDI; Beck, Wards and Mendelson, 1961). The Dysfunctional attitude scale, (Weissman & Beck, 1978; Weissman & Brown, 1991; Weissman & Beck, 1979) was used to determine and compare the underlying characteristic cognitive contents of the 4 diagnostic groups. Results showed that the endogenous, n =20, and norendogenous depression groups, n=20, manifested higher dysfunctional Attitudes than the other psychiatric non depressed, n=20and normal control groups, n=20, giving a total 0f 80 participants for the study³. Dysfunctional attitude was positively correlated with depression in both genders- males having r= .68 and females, r=.72 at P value <0.01; age and education had interaction effect with significant effect7.749 @ P <.001proved to be vulnerability markers of depression.