Depression, cognitive distortion and health among college students

Pages:493-495
Dhanalakshmi, D. (Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry)

College years, though expected to be the most fun period in a student’s life, many students do not have a smooth sail. The relationship problems encountered at that stage append to the stress experienced due to transition from school to college and complex psychological histories. Such complexities may often lead to distortions in thinking and in most severe form lead to depression and poor health. The current study explored the relationship between depression, cognitive distortions and general health among college students. The sample consisted of 125 undergraduate college students (62 boys and 63 girls) studying in different colleges in Chennai and aged between 18 to 20 years. The participants responded to the items on Depression taken from the Depression and the Anxiety Scale (Newcomer et al), Cognitive Distortion Scale (Briere) and General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg). Correlational analysis showed that general health was positively related to dimensions of cognitive distortion and depression. Girls were found to be more depressed and high in self-criticism as when compared to the boys. Girls have more problems in their general health as when compared to the boys. Regression analysis revealed that depression predicts general health. The results of the study draws the attention of researchers and practitioners in the discipline of psychology to explore the various causal factors for depression during late adolescence and to provide appropriate psychological interventions so that they are able to face the future challenges. Interventions to enhance the assertiveness and to change the dysfunctional thinking associated with helplessness among girls are crucial.