Psychopathology and dysfunctional beliefs in battered women

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study investigated the incidence of depression, post-traumatic stresssymptomatology, anger and guilt in a shelter sample of 40 battered women. In addition,the presence of dysfunctional, evaluative beliefs, as viewed from a Rational-emotiveperspective, was investigated, as well as the relationship between dysfunctional beliefsand symptoms of psychopathology.Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Post-traumatic Stress DiagnosticScale, Anger Diagnostic Scale, Trauma Related Guilt Inventory and Survey of PersonalBeliefs.It was found that 63% of the participants showed moderate to severe levels of depression,while 59% manifested high post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Between 38% and50% experienced problems with anger whilst 48.5% showed moderate guilt. In general,these symptoms did not correlate with the age of participants or with the duration orfrequency of abuse, except for anger which was related to a history of childhood sexualand/or physical abuse.The results of the Survey of Personal Beliefs indicated that the group displayed OtherandSelf-directed Demands, Awfulizing, Low Frustration-tolerance and Negative Selfworth.Only Low Frustration-tolerance (underestimation of coping skills) correlatedsignificantly with levels of depression, anger and guilt.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University