Distorções cognitivas e perfeccionismo: validação da Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS) e do Multidimensional Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (MPCI)

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the psychometric analysis of two scales: Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS), which aims to determine the frequency of 10 cognitive distortions, and the Multidi- mensional Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (MPCI), a scale with 15 items which measures the clinical perfectionism degree. Cognitive distortions are logical mistakes that are made in different situations. They consist of dysfunctional automatic thoughts that are identified and evaluated under the therapy, allowing the therapist to help the patients to modify them and change negative emotions and dysfunctional behaviors. To Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), cognitive distortions are the basis of psychological and psychiatric disorders, and it is very important to develop studies to understand better these cognitions. The clinical perfec- tionism is a new concept in scientific literature. Some studies have demonstrated individuals with high scores of perfectionism and depressive symptoms have difficulty with social inter- action and are more anxious. It happens when they are compared to a control group, having depressive symptoms only, without perfectionism. This evidence shows that people who have high scores in perfectionism instruments are more likely to develop psychopathology such as depression. This study was conducted on 364 college students in the city of Salvador, Bahia. All participants answered four instruments: CDS , MPCI , BDI and BAI. The objective of this research is to verify the internal consistency of CDS and MPCI, using Cronbach's Alpha; identify the discriminant validation with two other instruments: the Beck Depression Invento- ry (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The verification of the normal curve; the factor analysis of the instruments. Both had good internal consistency, with alphas above 0.80. The BDI and the BAI had positive correlations, but they were weak as far as the CDS and the MPCI was concerned. Both instruments have good psychometric properties.