Cognitive vulnerability to depression: an exploration of dysfunctional attitudes and ruminative response styles in the United Arab Emirates.
BACKGROUND
There has been little exploration of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and Nolen-Hoeksem's response styles theory within Arab populations.


OBJECTIVE
The study investigates the generalizability of these clinically influential models to Emirati citizens residing within United Arab Emirates (UAE).


METHODS
An opportunity sample of 450 undergraduate participants was assessed for dysfunctional attitudes using an Arabic/English 40-item version of Weissman and Beck's Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Participants also completed Arabic/English versions of Nolen-Hoeksema's ruminative response styles (RRS) scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).


RESULTS
Correlation and regression analyses showed depression to be associated with both RRS and dysfunctional attitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the generalization of these clinically influential theories of depression within a UAE context.
Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. justin.thomas@zu.ac.ae
Justin
J
Thomas
Belkeis
B
Altareb
D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012307:Risk Factors; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult