Dysfunctional Attitudes in Patients with Depression: A Study of Patients Admitted to a Private Psychiatric Hospital

Forty-one patients admitted to hospital with depression participated in a cognitive-behavioural group therapy programme for an average of 26.12 hours. Subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory on admission and discharge. Highly significant changes were found at discharge on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory, as were significant changes in the Dysfunctional Attitudes Subscales of approval and autonomy. Discussion focuses on the relationship between depression and dysfunctional attitudes and their relationship to self-reported anxiety in depressed individuals.