Role of irrational beliefs in depression and anxiety: a review

Abstract

Irrational beliefs play a central role in cognitive theory and therapy; they have been shown to be related to a variety of disorders such as depression and anxiety. Irrational beliefs, which can be assessed via clinical interviewing techniques, are frequently assessed by self-report measures, both clinically and for research purposes. Much of the research demonstrating the effect of irrational beliefs has utilized such measures. The present article reviews the empirical work on irrational beliefs assessment and identifies 25 scales and techniques. The measures are organized according to their theoretical affiliation (i.e., either the Ellis or Beck model), with the goal of providing investigators a source to identify the available tests, their shortcomings, and potential applications. The authors conclude with recommendations which would strengthen empirical cohesion and precision in the measurement of irrational beliefs

Genetic Correlates of Maladaptive Beliefs: COMT VAL158MET and Irrational Cognitions Linked Depending on Distress

“…First, a potential association between COMT Val 158 Met and irrational beliefs is in line with previous research that has associated this polymorphism to less cognitive flexibility (Bilder, Volavka, Lachman, & Grace, 2004), a hallmark of irrational beliefs (Dryden, 2003).…”

There’s More Than Catastrophizing in Chronic Pain: Low Frustration Tolerance and Self-Downing Also Predict Mental Health in Chronic Pain Patients

“…Demandingness refers to inflexible requirements expressed in terms of ''musts,'' ''should,'' ''have to,'' and ''oughts'' (e.g., ''I should not have difficulties;' ' Bridges, 2010). In pain research it appears that demandingness, in the form of perfectionism, has a direct correlation with pain interference and negative affect (Hadjistavropoulos, Dash, Hadjistavropoulos, & Sullivan, 2007).…”

“…However, LFT also implies a cognitive evaluation of certain circumstances as being unbearable (e.g., ''I can't function when I have difficulties;' ' Bridges, 2010). Although this irrational belief has not been a focus of study in chronic pain, McCracken and Eccleston (2003) have suggested that frustration, such as when attempts to control pain fail, can worsen the pain experience.…”

“…It has also been associated with worse outcomes, such as severity of depression, in clinical studies (Luyten et al, 2011). In addition, this tendency to be excessively critical and to make global negative evaluations of oneself (e.g., ''I am useless if I have difficulties;' ' Bridges, 2010) has been shown to have a greater association with distress, pain interference, and activity level than do traditional painrelated beliefs, such as the belief that pain is permanent or the belief that one is to blame for one's pain (Stroud, Thorn, Jensen, & Boothby, 2000).…”

“…Catastrophizing can be defined as evaluation of a negative event as worse than it should actually be (e.g., ''It would be terrible to fail at something that is important to me;' ' Bridges, 2010). As exposed above, catastrophizing has been repeatedly associated with a wide range of consequential outcomes in chronic pain, including pain intensity and interference (Ferreira-Valente, Pais Ribeiro, Jensen, & Almeida, 2011;Ramírez Maestre, Esteve Zarazaga, & López Martínez, 2001), physical disability (AgarWilson & Jackson, 2012;George, Calley, Valencia, & Beneciuk, 2011), depression (Nieto, Miró, Huguet, & Saldaña, 2011;Wade et al, 2012;Wong, Williams, Mak, & Fielding, 2011), and anxiety (Hirsh, George, Riley, & Robinson, 2007;Moix, Kovacs, Martín, Plana, & Royuela, 2011).…”