Physical Illness and Subscription to Ellis's Irrational Beliefs

Abstract

Research has shown a generally positive correlation between a person's propensity for illness and certain psychosocial variables. This study investigated the relationship between age, sex, and degree of subscription to each of Ellis's 10 irrational beliefs and frequency and type of illness. Participants were 122 adults who were assessed on the Irrational Beliefs Test and an illness questionnaire. Participants' scores on both instruments were analyzed using a canonical correlation analysis. There was a statistically significant relationship between participants' sex, age, and subscription to irrational beliefs, and frequency and type of physical illness. Specifically, the authors found that the older the participant, and more often for women, higher need for approval, higher need for competency and achievement, lower need to find perfect solutions to problems, and to a lesser extent, higher dependency on stronger persons were correlated with a greater number of organ systems affected by illness, a greater number of chronic illnesses, and to a lesser extent, a greater total frequency of illness. Conversely, the younger the participant, and more often for men, lower need for approval from others, lower need for competency and achievement, higher need to find perfect solutions to problems, and to a lesser extent, lower dependency on others were correlated with a fewer number of organ systems affected by illness, fewer chronic illnesses, and to a lesser extent, a lower total frequency of illness. Implications of these findings for counselors are discussed.

Dysfunctional Attitudes and Automatic Thoughts among University Students of Pakistan

“…He found that female students experience significantly higher dysfunctional attitudes than male students. Similarly, Lichterberg and Johnson [49] conducted study on adult sample and reported that female scored higher on competence, achievement and approval.…”

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Irrational and Rational Beliefs, and the Mental Health of Athletes

“…This study suggests that irrational beliefs maybe a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Indeed, irrational beliefs have been shown to affect physical health, with irrational beliefs positively related to eating disorders ( Möller and Bothma, 2001 ) such as bulimia ( Phillips et al, 1997 ), more severe asthma symptoms ( Silverglade et al, 1994 ), and a higher frequency of chronic illnesses ( Lichtenberg et al, 1992 ). Indeed, irrational beliefs are also positively related to type-A coronary-prone behavior, where individuals are highly motivated and competitive, but feel near constant time pressure, and have high hostility and anger ( Friedman, 1977 ).…”

Maladaptive health beliefs, illness-related self-regulation and the role of the information provided by physicians

“…The impact of maladaptive beliefs on physical health has been examined in several studies. Maladaptive beliefs have been associated with more physical symptoms (Howlett, 1994), and have been found to mediate the impact of stress and hostility on physical health (Lichtenberg et al, 1992; VanderVoort, 2006) as well as to affect caregivers’ well-being in a negative way (Stebbins and Pakenham, 2001). Furthermore, maladaptive health beliefs have been related to worse regimen adherence in adults with diabetes (Christensen et al, 1999), poor decision making in HIV+ individuals (Benotsch et al, 2004), higher levels of health anxiety (Fulton et al, 2011) and weaker internal health locus of control (Christensen et al, 1999).…”