Measuring Self-Debasing Cognitive Distortions in Youth

The purpose of the study was to develop Self-Debasing Cognitive Distortions Scale (SDCDS) and to investigate its psychometric properties in Indian sample of adolescents. This study was cross-sectional and used purposive sampling. To assess the content validity, the experts evaluated the 21-items scale constructed by the researchers based on Beck et al. (1979) Model of Negative Cognitive Errors, with emphasis on the cultural appropriateness. 16 items were finalized in the final draft. Data on 858 participants (426 male and 432 female students) aged 16 to 20, collected from different higher secondary institutions of Srinagar and Baramulla area of Kashmir valley was examined. Principle Component Analysis was conducted to assess the construct Validity. The model was further tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. To establish the validity of the test interpretations, the convergent validity of the test was assessed by correlating the test with Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS; Beevers et al. (2007)) Beck Depression Inventory; and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BDI & BAI; Beck and Steer (1993)) on a sample of 271 adolescents. Cronbach’s Alpha was then computed to assess the internal consistency of the measure. The results indicated that the SDCDS has satisfactory content, construct and convergent validity; and has appropriate internal consistency. Therefore, the SDCDS is more appropriate than the western-context developed measures to measure the self-debasing cognitive distortions in Indian Adolescents.