Irrational Beliefs as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Urban Adolescents of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of irrational beliefs in the prediction of depressive symptoms among male and female adolescents of Lahore, Pakistan. A purposive sample of 1000 adolescent males and females with an age range of 13 to 19 years from a non-clinical population was taken from bilingual English medium educational institutions of Lahore. The subjects were administered an Irrational Belief Test to identify the irrational beliefs and Beck Depression Inventory-II to measure the degree of depressive symptoms. In addition, Demographic Questionnaire was given to take background information from them. Self Report Questionnaire was given to take the feed back of the subjects regarding assessment tools. Data were analyzed by using Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation and Multiple Regression Analyses. The results supported the hypotheses that irrational beliefs are important indicators to predict depressive symptoms among male and female adolescents in Lahore, Pakistan. Preventive educational programs can be designed and introduced in the educational institutions for adolescents highlighting
the importance of rational beliefs in maintaining adequate mental health.