Date of Submission

2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Gina Fusco, PsyD

Second Advisor

Barbara Golden

Third Advisor

Robert DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chairperson

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine cognitive distortions as a mediator between maladaptive schema and hopelessness. With hopelessness and suicidal behavior so strongly correlated, an examination of hopelessness is critical. It was expected that this study would shed light on the role of distorted thinking as it relates to beliefs shaped from early maladaptive experiences and hopelessness. First, distorted thinking was not found to partially mediate the relationship between early maladaptive schema and hopelessness. This was likely a consequence of multicollinearity due to the use of a very proximal mediator. Second, a linear combination of the cognitive distortions Magnification, Fortune-Telling, and Jumping to Conclusions was shown to play a significant role in hopeless thinking. Lastly, this study provided further psychometric support for the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (Yurica & DiTomasso, 2002).

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