State University of New York at Albany

Dysfunctional attitudes are unrealistic and maladaptive outlooks that can cause depression by producing self-destructive and pessimistic thoughts about the future and the world.

Dysfunctional Attitudes

Tehranchi, A., Neshatdoost, H. T., Amiri, S., & Power, M. (2019). Analysis of emotions and dysfunctional attitudes in depression. Japanese Psychological Research, 61(3)
166-178. doi.org/10.1111/jpr.12220

Dysfunctional Attitudes in Depression.

Correlation studies found a negative correlation between mindfulness meditation and dysfunctional attitudes in patients with schizophrenia, which indicates that mindfulness might help lower dysfunctional attitudes in schizophrenia patients, resulting in fewer depression symptoms. This is because practicing mindfulness permits patients to perceive depressing thoughts as short-lived incidents that might not reflect reality.

Mindfulness Effect on Dysfunctional Attitudes in Schizophrenia Patients

Major Types of Dysfunctional Attitudes

Dysfunctional attitudes are mostly caused by stressful life events. It can develop in people with no psychological disorders and in people with psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety when they encounter too much stress. 

Dysfunctional Attitudes and Stress

Dysfunctional attitudes can predict the persistence of symptoms among individuals with depression, predict relapse, and predict the frequency of major depression episodes. 

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