Authors: Vassiliadou, Maria S.; Goldberg, David P.

Source: Primary Care Mental Health, Volume 4, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 265-271(7)

Publisher: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Aim The cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) model argues that negative cognitions regarding the self, the world and the future characterise the information processing of distressed individuals. The aim of the present study is to produce a brief self-administered questionnaire - the Dysfunctional Preconceptions Questionnaire (DPQ), which will assist general practitioners (GPs) to plan brief psychological therapy. We describe its psychometric properties and illustrate first use by GPs of a brief CBT-style therapeutic approach, based on data provided by the DPQ.

Methods The DPQ was developed on the basis of clinical observation and relevant literature, and is designed to screen for common negative cognitions. It was administered to a sample of 85 outpatients diagnosed for depression as well to a control group consisting of 78 normal subjects, together with the Beck Depression Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire.

Results After five items had been removed, the three subscales of the DPQ dealing with the self, the world and the future had high internal consistency, and correlated with the other measures of distress. A three-factor solution produced a satisfactory fit and corresponded to the original dimensions. Scores on all factors discriminated well between depressives and controls.

Conclusions The three subscales correspond to the three dimensions originally conceptualised, and preliminary evidence is presented concerning the usefulness of the scales to GPs.

Keywords: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOUR THERAPY; DEPRESSION; GENERAL PRACTICE

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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