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This research aims to present additional knowledge about individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children in Portugal. Although the international literature mentions the presence of cognitive distortions as a common element for child sexual offending, it is known that another cognitive pathway developed since childhood and adolescence will have a significant weight in the definition of disruptive sexual behaviors. In this article, we focused on sexual attitudes and sex as a strategy for sexual coping and assayed to appreciate the relevance of these variables as predictors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). This research mainly aims to analyze a hierarchical and predictive model of these variables and cognitive distortion in the CSA. With resources to Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), we conclude that these variables, when associated, have a predictive accuracy of 82.3% in a sample that included individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children (N = 59) and the general community (N = 82). New future approaches can benefit from integrating coping strategies and sexual attitudes into CSA, adapted to the Portuguese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveParticipantsMethodsResultsConclusionThis study examined the mediating role of cognitive distortions (CDs) in the relationship between dispositional mindfulness (DM) and psychological distress, and considered gender as a potential moderator of these mediation models.Four hundred and forty-six college students (63.9% female; M = 20.52 years; 87.4% undergraduate, 12.6% graduate level) participated.Self-report measures of DM, CDs, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were completed with data collected from April to October of 2020.Females scored significantly higher than males on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and CDs. CDs partially mediated the relationship between DM and all psychological distress variables. Gender moderated the mediation model predicting anxiety, with the indirect effect of DM on anxiety via CDs being stronger for females than males.Results support CDs as a possible mechanism underlying the association between DM and psychological distress with implications for targeting cognitive patterns in mindfulness-based interventions with college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive distortions (CDs) are a crucial element in the etiology of child sexual offending, with most of the intervention programs targeting them to reduce the risk of sexual recidivism in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) to assess CDs. With a total sample of 256 participants, the Portuguese version of the HSAQ revealed a two-factor structure. The HSAQ subscales demonstrated good to acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, as well as discriminant validity. One of the subscales also demonstrated convergent validity. Additionally, the two subscales exhibited differences between perpetrators of CSA with and without previous interventions, indicating known-groups validity. Overall, our findings partially support the use of the HSAQ in the forensic Portuguese population, underscoring its significance for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, particular caution is advised, especially regarding factor two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychological distress (i.e., incipient symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression) may promote substance use through increased emission of cognitive distortions. These are automatic irrational thoughts that can promote distress, which in turn increases substance use. Aim: This study analyzed, in a sample of Uruguayan citizens, the unique contribution of cognitive distortions on the frequency and quantity of alcohol or marijuana use, over and above the contribution of psychological distress or the use of emotion regulation strategies. We also assessed whether these variables were associated with having initiated or resumed the use of a substance. Methods: A survey asked about alcohol and marijuana use, psychological distress, emotion regulation strategies, and cognitive distortions. The study comprised a convenience sample of 1132 participants (Mean age = 29.07 ± 8.19 years, 72.26% women). Separate hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted on the frequency and quantity of alcohol or marijuana use, whereas a logistic regression was applied on having initiated or resumed the use of a substance. Results: Several cognitive distortions were significant predictors of frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption or frequency of marijuana use, over and above psychological distress. Differential emission of automatic thoughts was also associated, along with higher scores of psychological distress, with a significantly higher probability of having initiated the use of a new substance or having resumed the use of a substance. Conclusions: Cognitive distortions may promote alcohol and marijuana use. Interventions aimed at modifying these distortions should be considered to reduce the emission of these behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive distortions play a key role in offending but have not been researched in relation to burglary. Using the literature on offence-related cognition as a guide (which is primarily focused on sexual offending), the present two studies aimed to develop and validate the Burglary Cognitive Distortions Scale (BCDS). Drawing upon the burglary literature, an initial pool of 36-items was produced. Two online studies using community-based participants were then conducted. Each study involved administering the BCDS, along with measures of burglary proclivity, general criminal beliefs, empathy, and human needs. In Study 1 (N¹ = 306), an exploratory factor analysis of the BCDS produced two factors: (1) Acquisitive Entitlement, and (2) Survive by any Means. In Study 2 (N² = 266), confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure and helped refine the item pool. In each study, the 24-item CFA version of the BCDS was found to be associated with general criminal beliefs and burglary proclivity. Factor 1 of the BCDS, as well as general criminal beliefs, independently predicted proclivity scores. Future research should now aim to validate the BCDS using a sample of people who have committed burglary, as it holds promise for use in forensic settings and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The objective of this study was to investigate relationships between criminal history, cognitive distortions, social climate, motivation to change and therapeutic alliance at an early stage of treatment among people incarcerated for child sexual abuse. To do so, 223 men (M age = 47, range = 19–76 years) who took part in a treatment programme in Quebec, Canada, following perpetration of child sexual abuse were included in the study. Individual factors (number of prior offences; cognitive distortions), social climate, and their association with motivation and therapeutic alliance were examined. Multiple linear regressions revealed that participants with fewer cognitive distortions who perceived social climate more positively were more motivated to change and had a better alliance with their therapist. Participants with higher motivation also established better therapeutic alliances with programme staff. This study provides new knowledge on two major components of successful treatment and highlights the importance of a positive environment in forming therapeutic alliance.Treatment providers should be mindful that the same cognitive distortions that are likely to be treatment targets can also be obstacles to motivation and the development of the therapeutic alliance. In terms of the treatment environment, providing a safe, open, and supportive social climate between inmates and programme staff contributes to higher motivation and better therapeutic alliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Are moral judgement maturity and self-serving cognitive distortions or moral disengagement merely opposites, as recently claimed? Self-serving cognitive distortions and moral disengagement constitute (more or less interchangeable) neutralization techniques; they stem from the same theoretical background and refer to the same cognitive processes. In contrast, a distinct theoretical background provides the context for moral judgement. To examine the empirical relationships between the constructs, a systematic search was conducted, encompassing 17 studies from 8 countries. Moral judgement and self-serving cognitive distortions or moral disengagement related inversely only moderately in studies of offenders (externalizing behavioural disorders) and non-offenders. Moreover, self-serving cognitive distortions and moral disengagement correlated much more strongly with externalizing behavioural disorders than did moral judgement. Also differing were relationships with demographic and other variables such as empathy. We conclude that both moral judgement and self-serving cognitive distortions or moral disengagement should be assessed and utilized in studies and intervention programmes addressing externalizing behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cognitive distortions are an essential factor in the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the study is to investigate the link between the production of cognitive distortions and PTSD by measuring levels of anxiety and depression. Our sample comprised 183 participants divided into three groups: 59 trauma-exposed with PTSD, 61 trauma-exposed without PTSD, and 63 non-trauma-exposed non-PTSD (controls). All participants were assessed on the following dimensions: PTSD (PCL-5), cognitive distortions (EDC-A), anxiety and depression (HADS). The main results highlight a production of cognitive distortions in people with PTSD, who had significantly more positive than negative cognitive distortions compared to the group exposed to trauma without PTSD. In addition, the PTSD group had higher anxiety and depression scores than the other two groups. Findings indicate that people with PTSD show more positive cognitive distortions than those without PTSD, and that this is not related to levels of anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress generation suggests a reciprocal relationship between depression and prospective stressful life events. However, the applicability of stress generation to anxiety disorders has been understudied, particularly among youth. We address this gap by examining stress generation in youth at high-risk of developing anxiety disorders. Participants were one-hundred thirty-six at-risk youth (M age = 8.69, 84.6% Caucasian; 55.9% female), each of whom had a parent with an anxiety disorder. We examined the role of an anxiety disorder diagnosis, anxiety symptoms, and cognitive distortions in youth's prospective one and six-year stressful life events (i.e., stress generation). Anxiety symptoms and cognitive distortions were significant predictors of one-year total dependent stress. Anxiety diagnosis and anxiety symptoms were significant predictors of one-year dependent interpersonal stress. Anxiety diagnosis and anxiety symptoms were significant predictors of six-year independent stress. Support for the stress generation model was found in high-risk youth, but only over a one-year period. This suggests important effects of anxiety and cognitive distortions on stress generation, though their implications might be time-capped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the four domains of self-debasing cognitive distortions, namely personalisation, catastrophising, overgeneralisation and selective abstraction could predict or inform bullying bystanders' emotional disturbance in reactions to witnessing bullying. A descriptive case study research design was adopted. Ten school bullying bystanders were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Interviews were recorded on a voice recorder and then transcribed. Qualitative data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that personalisation evoked bystanders' self-blame and feelings of guilt, catastrophising amplified bystanders' anxiety and fear over generalisation-induced and exacerbated bystanders' negative perceptions of school safety, and selective abstraction led to indirect co-victimisation. It is recommended that school psychologist, councilors and behavioural healthcare service providers should teach victims of bullying, especially bystanders, how to recognise, challenge and reappraise negative and unhelpful thoughts and feelings related to their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many studies showing a positive relationship between depression level and cognitive distortions in the literature. The study was carried out to determine the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy–based psychoeducation on cognitive distortions, negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes of patients diagnosed with depression. This study was designed as a two-group pre-posttest study. The study sample composed of a total of 60 patients (30 patients in the treatment group and 30 patients in the control group) who met the eligibility criteria. The data have been collected by using The Personal Information Form, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale. Psychoeducation was provided in the form of individual training once a week in total of eight sessions. For the pretest, assumption and schemas that make people predispose to depression, dysfunctional attitudes and cognitive distortions in interpersonal relationships were seen frequently to be above average in all patients. It was determined that patients in the treatment group used significantly less dysfunctional attitudes and to had lower negative automatic thoughts and interpersonal cognitive distortions compared with patients in the control group in posttest (p < 0.05). Consequently, cognitive behavioral therapy–based psychoeducation has become considerably effective in decreasing the use of negative automatic thoughts, interpersonal cognitive distortions and dysfunctional attitudes in patients with depression. cognitive behavioral therapy–based psychoeducation should be thought of as a treatment component due to its effectiveness in nursing care of depressed patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lyrics of several Kacey Musgraves songs fit many of the criteria for usefulness in Poetry Therapy while employing many of the same structures and strategies found in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Thus, they provide an invaluable tool for considering the therapeutic value of poetry in the literature classroom, and, potentially, for application in the clinical setting. Musgraves' lyrics reflect universal experience and emotion, use clear language, and offer hope while dealing realistically with suffering. Several of her songs written in second person specifically follow a model similar to that of CBT. These songs help the listener to identify and reflect on the cognitive distortions behind anxiety and depression. They use metaphors to help listeners achieve greater awareness of mental processes and emotional states. Finally, they correct cognitive distortions and provide alternate metaphors that encourage more adaptive thinking and actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little contemporary research has investigated the similarities and differences between individuals convicted of sexual offences and community samples with reference to beliefs supportive of sexual violence. This study compared the rape supportive cognitions of a group of high-risk individuals incarcerated for sexual offences to a group of university students. Antisocial cognitions were also examined in order to determine if such views accounted for any observed findings. A group of 304 male university students were compared to 301 men convicted of sexual offences attending assessment or treatment in an inpatient based treatment programme. Results indicated no significant differences between the rape supportive cognitions and antisocial cognition of people convicted of sexual offences and university students. Further analyses revealed that students who endorsed more rape supportive and antisocial cognitions reported using more coercive and aggressive tactics. This article will assist researchers and practitioners in designing strategies for prevention of sexual violence among university students by comparing students' distorted cognition to individuals convicted of sexual offending and by shedding light on the association between distorted cognitions and perpetration of sexual violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many factors that appear to be directly related to the development of gambling addiction problems, and it is important to understand these relationships from a clinical perspective in order to develop prevention and intervention programs. This research seeks to analyze the relationships these problems have with gambling motives, cognitive distortions and irresponsible gambling behavior, and proposes an explanatory model of gambling addiction. The sample was made up of 258 adults residing in the province of Valencia (59.5% women), with a mean age of 20.95 years (SD = 2.19). A series of questionnaires were applied to measure the variables involved, and bivariate correlations, simple and multiple linear regressions and a structural equation model were analyzed. The results indicated that gambling motives were positively related to cognitive distortions, acting as predictors of these. Additionally, the proposed theoretical model showed goodness of fit on various indices and explained 69% of variance in cognitive distortions, 37% of that in irresponsible gambling and 43% of that in gambling addiction. The main limitation of this research is that the sample belongs to a very specific population, who did not necessarily have gambling problems. The main contributions are uncovering some of the relationships between gambling motives and cognitive distortions and the proposal of a mediating role of irresponsible gambling in the relationship between cognitive distortions and the development of gambling problems. If the proposed model replicates, it can be of help to research and health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current review examines existing research investigating the impact of Latino cultural values on decisions to disclose, reactions to disclosures, help-seeking behaviors, and victim-blaming among Latina survivors of sexual assault (SA). These findings were used to identify culturally based, problematic beliefs about SA in the Latino community that can be internalized and thus contribute to the development of maladaptive posttraumatic cognitions for Latina survivors. Understanding values that are prevalent in the Latino community can help clinicians identify rigid applications that maintain cognitive distortions surrounding SA. Therefore, the current review provides a synthesis of research on cultural influences impacting posttraumatic cognitions for Latina survivors of SA and examines implications for culturally informed practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high prevalence of gambling among adolescents, the main purpose of the present study was to develop a gambling primary intervention program for students through the training of teachers about gambling-related knowledge and problems, and verify the effectiveness of the program in reducing gambling behaviors, cognitive distortions, and perception of gambling economic profitability in students. A total of 33 teachers (31.3% men) and 393 students aged 13 to 19 years (84% boys) were recruited for this study, randomly assigned to training (15 teachers; 219 students) and non-training groups (18 teachers; 174 students). An evidence-based longitudinal study designed with a pretest, and a follow-up after about 7 months, was conducted. Results showed that trained teachers improved their knowledge on gambling types and characteristics and related risks. The most relevant result was the impact the trained teachers had on their students, who reduced their gambling behavior, some cognitive distortions, and misconceptions related to the economic profitability of gambling. However, despite the relevance of these results, this study represents preliminary evidence, and further controlled studies are needed to confirm the possibility of using trained teachers as a less expensive method to efficiently prevent gambling among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tipsters are sports betting experts that offer recommendations concerning betting opportunities, usually in exchange for money. With the growth of online sports betting, tipsters have become more accessible via social media. However, it remains unknown whether tipsters might have an impact on sports bettors experiencing gambling problems. In the present study, data concerning tipsters were collected via focus group interviews with sports bettors undergoing treatment for gambling disorder (n = 28) and examined utilizing a thematic analysis approach. The findings suggest that many participants used tipsters during their gambling activity, although they had divergent thoughts about their actual ability to produce accurate tips. The selection of tipsters appears to be biased toward personal contact and word-of-mouth strategies rather than objective performance data. Notably, many bettors had experienced thoughts of becoming tipsters themselves. The participants struggled to integrate into a coherent narrative both the existence of individuals such as tipsters who (allegedly) have been able to consistently 'beat the bookies', and their contrasting personal experience of repeated losses. This has implications for therapists working on cognitive restructuring, because tipsters made sports bettors wonder about the importance of skill in betting, and whether thinking they could be winners was actually a distorted or a realistic perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourists experience events, activities, and spaces in holiday destinations. On-site perception occurs with wayfinding, cognitive mapping, and completing memorable experience. Holiday villages are destinations that meet tourists' daily recreation needs as dining, resting, and socializing. This study investigates holiday village components that impact tourist cognitive maps with sketch mapping and questionnaire techniques. The theoretical base proposes a dual-channel cognitive mapping model with personal and environmental variables for unit and route distortions on sketch maps. Cognitive mapping is affected by gender, visit repeat, sign usage, landmark usage, unit's distance to main entrance and route, route length, and route's orientation on site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of haters is becoming common among adolescents. The aims of the present research were to evaluate the preliminary psychometric properties of the Hating Adolescents Test (HAT), an ad hoc questionnaire created to evaluate online and offline hate (Study 1), and possible risk factors connected with hate (Study 2). Participants (202 female and 200 male) of this study completed the HAT, the How I Think Questionnaire, the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied. Preliminary data suggest how males reported higher level of hate than females. Cronbach's alpha coefficient suggested excellent reliability of the measure. Results of this study also revealed satisfactory construct, convergent and divergent validity. Moreover, the results show a significant gender difference on the variables of the study (pathological worry and hostility aggressiveness). The mediation model suggests how hostile aggressiveness mediated the relationship between pathological worry and hate. HAT is a brief self-report questionnaire composed of 12 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with good psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the individual and social characteristics, moral disengagement strategies and cognitive distortions toward children among 120 sex offenders in Italian jails. A semistructured interview was administered to collect data about family, social and medical histories, utilizing the Moral Disengagement Scale and the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire. Results showed that sex offenders with sexual abuse trauma in their past had higher scores of moral disengagement and cognitive distortion toward children than sex offenders without sexual abuse trauma. In particular, the highest levels of moral disengagement, cognitive distortions related to children as sexual objects and sexual entitlement were shown by sex offenders who had been physically and sexually abused in their past. Moreover, moral disengagement predicted cognitive distortions related to children being sexy and sexual entitlement. Studying self-regulatory mechanisms and cognitive distortions is important to expand the literature about sexual behaviors committed by offenders and implement the promotion of effective and targeted treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk behaviors are well known to be higher in adolescents and emerging adults. Drug use and delinquency present several common predictive factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of individual factors (aggression, impulsivity, empathy, and cognitive distortions) to delinquent behaviors, alcohol use and cannabis consumption among adolescents and emerging adults. Participants were between 15 and 25 years of age (M = 18.64 years, SD = 2.61); 325 were adolescents (15-18 years of age, M = 16.56, SD = 1.11, 56.31% of women) and 283 were emerging adults (19-25 years, M = 21.03, SD = 1.62, 50.88% of women). They completed self-report validated questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses showed that all individual factors significantly predicted delinquency. Impulsivity and empathy significantly predicted alcohol use. Concerning cannabis use, impulsivity is the only significantly associated predictor. Moderation analysis showed that specific associations were stronger in adolescents, whereas others were stronger in emerging adults. All these variables explained 69% of the variance of delinquency, 31% of the variance of alcohol use, and 18% of the variance of cannabis use. This model demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit criteria. These results may have implications for prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large body of research has focused on legal decision-making. However, few studies have tested the impact on evidence processing of the intimate conviction (IC) instruction, a decision rule based on impression formation that is used in mixed courts of lay and professional judges in civil law systems. The present study examined 1) the influence of the IC instruction (vs. induction of rational information processing) on confirmatory information processing (CIP) in a judicial judgment context, and 2) the impact of a professional judge (i.e., magistrate)'s pro-accusation (vs. pro-defense) opinion prior to the deliberation phase on lay jurors' CIP under impression (vs. rational) induction. Sixty-nine mock jurors (students) watched video extracts of a criminal appeal hearing of a harm-to-person case. Results confirmed our prediction: in the pre-deliberation phase, participants who had been given an impression decision rule exhibited a stronger pro-accusation CIP bias (biased assimilation, but not selective exposure); in the post-deliberation phase, impression induction only enhanced CIP bias when the jurors agreed with the magistrate's opinion, whereas rational induction only enhanced CIP bias when the jurors disagreed with the magistrate's opinion. These results are discussed in terms of psychological reactance in the context of decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examined the association between childhood sexual victimization (CSV) and constructs thought to be relevant for sexual offending in secondary analyses of three samples of adult males who committed sexual offences against children (N = 16, 28, and 20). Compared to participants who reported no CSV, those who reported CSV exhibited slightly to moderately more cognitive distortions and moderately to largely less negative evaluations of sexual offending against children; slightly to moderately higher self-esteem, positive evaluation of people who commit sexual offences, and identification with people who commit sexual offences against children; and much more emotional congruence with children. Our findings suggest that CSV may be associated with variables presumed to play a role in sexual offending against children. However, given the small sample sizes and other limitations of our studies, our evidence does not permit conclusions regarding causal relationships and any novel findings require replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between the interpersonal dependency tendency and interpersonal cognitive distortions. The study group of the research consists of 879 university students from different faculties of Ondokuz Mayıs University. “Interpersonal Dependency Inventory” scale adapted by Ulusoy (2010) and the “Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale’’ developed by Hamamcı (2002) were used in data collection. Data were analyzed with Pearson Moments Correlation, MANOVA, and Simple Regression. As a result of this research, a significant correlation was found between interpersonal dependency tendency and interpersonal cognitive distortions. According to the Simple Linear Regression Analysis, in which Interpersonal dependency scores are estimated by Interpersonal cognitive distortions, Interpersonal cognitive distortions significantly predict the interpersonal dependency scores of university students (R2 = 0.126, t = 11,26, p < 0,001). Also, Interpersonal cognitive distortions and interpersonal dependency show significant differences according to gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropsychologists commonly provide feedback to patients with a high degree of cognitive complaints in the context of normal neuropsychological test performance. Patients are sometimes not reassured by this feedback because they blame external factors (e.g., the tests are wrong) and do not develop insight about internal factors (e.g., distorted self-perception) that could lead to better understanding about why high symptom reporting is present in the context of normal test results. This article presents the first formal feedback model for neuropsychologists to use with such patients that helps reveal the presence of cognitive distortions that result in high cognitive complaints. The critical elements of this model incorporate self-ratings of neuropsychological test performance, comparing those ratings to actual test performance, and presenting discrepancies to patients in an objective, professional, and respectful manner. Ways in which this feedback model may lead to improved patient outcomes and reductions in healthcare costs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The endorsement of permission-giving thoughts, or so-called cognitive distortions, has been discussed as a contributing factor in sexually abusive behaviour. The current study set out to explore the thinking patterns of offenders who have used/downloaded child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), based on a survey of professionals. A thematic analysis elicited four overarching themes, namely the Perceived Nature of Children (perception of children portrayed in CSEM, as well as children in general), Non-sexual Engagement with CSEM (motivating factors that are not inherently sexual in nature), Denial of Harm (perception of the level of harm caused by CSEM), and Expression of a General Sexual Preference (general interest in deviant sexual behaviour). These themes aid to explore the differences and similarities between contact and non-contact offenders and to improve the understanding of the role of permission-giving thoughts in this typology of offending. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical significance and future implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy has experienced a rapid growth in gambling accessibility, expenditures and problems. Gambling-related cognitive distortions are established risk factors for disordered gambling, although little is known about the role of gambling-related cognitive distortions among Italians. To establish a valid tool for assessing these distortions, an Italian version of the Gamblers’ Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ-I) was translated and psychometrically evaluated in a sample of 749. Eighty-five percent had gambled recently and 110 were identified as probable disordered gamblers. Good reliability, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were demonstrated. Concurrent, convergent and predictive validities also suggested that the GBQ-I is a valid and reliable measure for assessing gambling-related cognitive distortions among clinical and non-clinical Italian samples. Factor analysis explored the two-factor structure from the measures’ initial validation but was unable to replicate it. The validation of this translation of the GBQ allows for future cross-cultural research on the role of cognitive distortions in the study and treatment of gambling problems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Treatment for adolescents with sexually maladaptive behaviors is a continuing intervention that is changing and developing as greater understanding about this population of adolescents is obtained. The majority of treatment programs for adolescent sexually maladaptive behavior contain programming components that include cognitive distortions/thinking errors. Interviews including a conceptual mapping exercise were conducted with four adolescents adjudicated to a secure care program for sexual behaviors. All four boys completed an interview and a conceptual map of their perceived experiences as an adolescent with sexual maladaptive behaviors. All interviews were audio recorded. Analysis of the interviews and conceptual mappings yielded five themes present in the boys’ experience as well as a consideration of the role early trauma may have in the establishment of cognitive distortion development. Contributing environmental and familial factors also play an important part in sustaining cognitive distortion. Main themes include: loss of responsible father or father figure, inability to regulate emotion, lack of personal and parental boundaries, and early exposure to pornography. The contributing influence of responsible male father figures may play an even greater role in the lives of young males than originally thought. How the adolescent inaccurately perceives his environment—in essence what he tells himself and continues to tell himself to make sense of his world—are building blocks in the development and continuation of thinking errors/cognitive distortions used to commit and justify sexual offending behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study of schemas in sexual offenders is a relatively new approach in attempts to understand the deviant beliefs and attitudes of sexual offenders. Emerging findings suggest that offence supportive attitudes may be the product of an offender's underlying schemas. This study aims to establish the relationship between offence supportive attitudes and schemas in a sample of mentally disordered sexual offenders (MDSOs). Thirty-one male sexual offenders held within low through high security forensic mental health units were assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire - Short Version 3 and the Questionnaire on Attitudes Consistent with Sex Offending. Correlational analyses suggested a pattern of relationships in which Insufficient Self-control, Entitlement and Enmeshment arose as the schemas associated with most offence supportive attitudes. This supports a relationship between schemas and offence supportive attitudes in MDSOs and is consistent with the literature to date. Implications for further research and treatment are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have suggested that child sex offenders hold distorted views on social interactions with children. Misinterpreting children’s behavior and intentions could lead to sexually abusive behavior toward children. It is further suggested that the interpretation process is influenced by offenders’ offense-supportive cognitions and levels of empathy. To examine the relationships between these three concepts, 47 contact offenders completed self-reports on offense-supportive cognitions and empathy. Vignettes were developed to assess the extent to which offenders attributed responsibility, benefit, and complicity to children in hypothetical child molestation incidents. This study showed that cognitions that justify sexual offending against children seem to diminish the threshold for sexual assault by assigning more cooperation and willingness of the victim in a child molestation incident. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cognitive distortions are typically identified as an important etiological factor in pathological gambling. The Gambling Cognitions Inventory (GCI) developed by Holub (2003) is examined in this study using a sample of 710 pathological gamblers collected in four Canadian studies. Confirmatory factor analysis did not support the initial 40-item scale and suggested a 33-item scale. The sample was split into two groups to conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Scree plots and parallel analysis suggested a two-factor scale. The scale developed by exploratory factor analysis on the first sample was supported by confirmatory factor analysis on the second sample (CFI>0.95; RMSEA < 0.05). The two factors indicated a Skill and Attitude subscale and a Luck and Chance subscale. Analysis conducted within each of the four studies showed good internal reliability for the scale (range of α = 0.91–0.95) and subscales (α = 0.77–0.92). The scale and subscales correlated with gambling severity measures as well as other measures of gambling cognitions including the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and the Gambling Beliefs Questionnaire. The results of the study indicate that the GCI is a psychometrically strong scale and may be beneficial in directing cognitive therapy to the most problematic cognitions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined the endorsement of cognitive distortions in child pornography offenders (CPOs), using an established assessment tool, the Abel and Becker Cognition Scale. The scale was expanded to include cognitions specific to child pornography offending, extracted from Howitt and Sheldon's Children and Sexual Activities Inventory (C&SA). Three samples of CPOs, child sex offenders and offenders with both offence types responded to the cognition items. An exploratory Principal Component Analysis suggested six main components of the scale. CPOs were significantly less likely to endorse these statements in general, and this was more pronounced on items that project blame onto the child or other people, describe a need for power and consider children as sexually active. The statements extracted from C&SA did not differentiate between the groups. These findings are discussed under consideration of the relationship between cognitive distortions and contact sex offending, and in reference to the general criticism concerning the definition and appropriate measurement of cognitive distortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Ward (2000), cognitive distortions emerge from “implicit theories” (ITs). Ward and Keenan (1999) established a typology of the ITs of child molesters in which they classified existing knowledge on their cognitive distortions into five categories: “entitlement”, “nature of harm”, “uncontrollability”, “child as sexual being” and “dangerous world”. The purpose of this research was to examine whether the cognitive distortions of child molesters are encapsulated fully by these five categories of ITs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 convicted francophone child molesters and their cognitive distortions were analysed. Results indicate that six ITs were present in this sample. “Entitlement”, “nature of harm” and “uncontrollability” were identical to those of Ward and Keenan. “Child as sexual being” and “dangerous world” were present, but varied from their original versions. A new IT emerged, which we called “child as partner”. We discuss these findings in comparison to their original versions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to staff concerns about anti-social behaviour among students (n = 311, 50.5% boys, age range 13–16 years) at a low socio-economic Adelaide metropolitan school, we investigated victimisation and bullying and associated patterns of thinking. Two instruments were administered: the How I Think Questionnaire, which measures self-serving cognitive distortions; and the Bullying Experiences Questionnaire, which requires students to rate victimisation and bullying. The study revealed that: levels of distorted thinking were high; the most frequent forms of victimisation and bullying were verbal, indirect and physical; there were low levels of more extreme forms of victimisation and bullying; and there were higher levels of cognitive distortions among bullies and bully-victims. The research confirms the role of distorted thinking in the enactment of anti-social and bullying behaviours and provides a contemporary update of the types of victimisation/bullying in an Australian secondary school in 2011. Implications for interventions using social-cognitive approaches are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Collective moral disengagement refers to shared group beliefs that morally justify negative actions. This study reports an initial validation of the newly developed Classroom Collective Moral Disengagement Scale (CCMDS) for adolescents. This self-report instrument assesses the degree to which mechanisms of moral disengagement are shared by students in their class. Data were collected from two samples of 486 and 654 adolescents attending middle and high schools in Italy. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses the unidimensional structure of the scale was established. Multigroup analyses demonstrated configural, metric and scalar invariance of the model across age and gender groups. The final version of the scale consists of 17 items and it has good internal consistency and validity. It is concluded that the scale is a promising measure for research concerning group level morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cognitive Errors (CEs) are a key construct in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Integral to CBT is that individuals with depression process information in an overly negative or biased way, and that this bias is reflected in specific depressotypic CEs which are distinct from normal information processing. Despite the importance of this construct in CBT theory, practice, and research, few methods are available to researchers and clinicians to reliably identify CEs as they occur. Method: In this paper, the author presents a rating system, the Cognitive Error Rating Scale, which can be used by trained observers to identify and assess the cognitive errors of patients or research participants in vivo, i.e., as they are used or reported by the patients or participants. Conclusions: The method is described, including some of the more important rating conventions to be considered when using the method. This paper also describes the 15 cognitive errors assessed, and the different summary scores, including valence of the CEs, that can be derived from the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the vast majority of individuals with a mental disorder do not commit sexual offences, sexual offenders are a significant group within forensic psychiatric populations and command a high level of healthcare resources. Despite this, there is little published research focusing on the offence-specific cognitive styles (e.g. cognitive distortions and implicit theories) of these individuals, limiting understanding of their assessment and treatment needs. The current study aimed to establish whether evidence for the implicit theories identified by researchers of non-mentally disordered child sexual offenders would also be present among a population of high secure psychiatric male sexual offenders. Analysis of interviews with 12 such individuals indicated that the majority of the cognitive distortions articulated by these men could be categorised within existing implicit theory descriptions. The findings are discussed in relation to clinical practice and suggestions for future research with this specific population are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The How I Think Questionnaire (HIT; Barriga et al., 2001) is a self-report measure of self-serving cognitive distortions. This study used meta-analytic methods to analyse: (i) the reliability of the HIT scores across samples; (ii) the variability in reliability estimates; and (iii) the convergent and criterion-group validity of the HIT scores. Results showed an excellent reliability of the total HIT scores: mean alpha = .93, 95% CI [.92, .94];k = 29,N = 8,186. Heterogeneity of total HIT was mainly explained by type of population. The reliabilities of the four subscale scores were also adequate. Moreover, the HIT has strong convergent validity and is able to discriminate between offenders and control participants. Limitations of the current literature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extended the examination of the predictors of emotional manipulation. Participants ( N = 243) completed measures of trait emotional manipulation, emotional intelligence, social skills, psychopathy, aggression, empathy, and self-serving cognitive distortions in a cross-sectional correlational design. For males, higher levels of emotional intelligence, social information processing, indirect aggression, and self-serving cognitive distortions significantly predicted emotional manipulation. For females, being younger, higher levels of emotional intelligence, indirect aggression, primary psychopathic traits, and lower levels of social awareness significantly predicted emotional manipulation. However for females, emotional intelligence acted as a suppressor. These findings support previous indications that the mechanisms behind emotional manipulation differ as a function of gender. Future research could include ability, rather than trait measures of emotional manipulation, as well as the role of context (such as intimate relationships or workplace environments), thereby allowing additional examination of the nomological network of emotional manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This single-case study illustrates how eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be of use in the treatment of cognitive distortions in sex offenders who themselves have been victimized in their childhood. A 56-year-old man did not perceive his childhood sexual experiences as negative. As a consequence, he could not see any harm in his own offending in later life. He spent one year in cognitive-behavioral group therapy barely making any progress. After nine EMDR sessions, most cognitive distortions appeared to be resolved. He was able to attend his group sessions in a more open and involved manner. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is generally assumed that empathy acts to disinhibit behaviour that could be perceived as detrimental to others, and as a result is a common feature of offender treatment programmes. The present research hypothesised that empathy in all populations is both a situational and a selective process that is ultimately governed by self-interest, and further, that it is the nature of the self-interest that distinguishes individuals rather than a general empathy deficit per se. Empathic processes were observed in a non-offending population in a personal situation normally regarded as evocative of empathy: infidelity. Thematic analysis of data from individuals who reported being faithful or unfaithful to their partners revealed five dominant themes: vulnerable predisposition, emotional motivators, rational emotive decision making, avoiding cognitive dissonance and lack of remorse. The themes all revealed how individuals employed cognitive strategies, which were managed by self-interest that functioned to create cognitive states devoid of empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the effects of pretrial publicity (PTP) and juror age on decision making and source memory. Mock jurors read news articles containing negative PTP, positive PTP, or unrelated stories. One week later they viewed a murder trial, made decisions about guilt, and completed a source memory test. We found that only positive PTP had a significant effect on older jurors' verdicts and impressions (positivity effect); while only negative PTP had a significant effect on younger jurors' verdicts (negativity effect). PTP and juror age had significant effects on accurate source memory judgments (accurately attributing trial information to the trial) with older jurors and those exposed to PTP being less accurate. Only PTP had a significant effect on jurors' critical source memory errors (misattributing information in the PTP to the trial or both the trial and the PTP) with those exposed to negative PTP making more of these errors than jurors in the other PTP conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Interventions that aim to improve social problem-solving skills can significantly reduce the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms in young people. Anxious and depressed individuals often have a negative orientation to problem solution which acts as a barrier to implementing problem-solving skills. Research with older adults suggests that symptoms impair problem-solving abilities through cognitive processes associated with the development of anxiety and depression. In this study we extend previous investigations by assessing the extent to which specifi c cognitive distortions and symptoms of anxiety and depression are associated with negative problem orientation (NPO) in a sample of 285 young adults aged 18-25 years. Results found that cognitive distortions and depressive symptoms were strong predictors in a regression model that explained approximately half of the variance in NPO. Results also found that the relationship between cognitive distortions and NPO was strengthened as depressive symptoms became more intense. The distortion 'You think you know what the future will bring; you expect disaster and gloom' had the strongest individual association with NPO and depressive symptoms. Implications for enriching prevention and early intervention initiatives for young adults are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on moral judgment, cognitive distortions and implicit theories in 77 young sex offenders of whom 56 were child abusers and 21 were peer abusers. The sociomoral reflection measure-short form (SRM-SF) was used to assess moral judgment, and was extended with questions about sexual situations and the offenders' abuse victim(s). Lower stage moral judgment was only found in peer abusers responding to own victim situations. The Sex With Children (SWCH) scale was used to measure implicit theories, which are beliefs justifying sex with children. No significant differences were found between the child and peer abuser group. Neither significant relations were found between the implicit theories and the level of moral judgment. In addition, all SRM-SF responses were coded according to Barriga and Gibbs' (1996. Measuring cognitive distortion in antisocial youth: Development and preliminary validation of the 'How I think' questionnaire. Psychology Department, 22, 333-343) four-category typology of self-serving cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions concerning the abuse victim were associated with lower stage moral judgment, but only in the peer abuser group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper challenges accepted notions about the importance of cognitive distortions expressed by child molesters. First, we consider the role of excuse-making in a healthy life, and as a result question whether it is in the best interests of our clients to challenge their distortions. We examine the literature on eyewitness reports and the reconstructive nature of memory to call into question the value of requiring child molesters' reports of their offence to match the victim's account. Next we show that the evidence does not demonstrate convincingly that cognitive distortions are criminogenic. Furthermore, the responses of child molesters to measures of cognitive distortions indicate that they simply endorse less disagreement with the items than do others. However, we note that some of these distortions, while not criminogenic, may nevertheless interfere with the acquisition of skills for important treatment targets (e.g. relationships). We offer suggestions for the most effective way to elicit and change these distortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EQUIP is a multicomponent peer-helping program that aims to reduce recidivism among delinquent adolescents by decreasing their cognitive distortions, improving their social skills and stimulating their moral development. In an earlier study in a high-security juvenile correctional facility in the Netherlands, the EQUIP program was found to have positive effects on reducing cognitive distortions in delinquent male adolescents. In this quasi-experimental pre/post-treatment test study, the effects of the EQUIP program on recidivism and on cognitive distortions in relation to recidivism were investigated. Participants were recruited from four comparable high-security juvenile correctional facilities for offenders between the ages of 12 and 18 years. One of these facilities implemented the EQUIP program (n=49); the other three facilities provided the control group (n=28). As expected, the experimental group showed a greater reduction in cognitive distortions (egocentric bias, minimizing/mislabeling and blaming others) than the control group. However, no differences were found in speed or seriousness of reoffending between the adolescents in the experimental group and those in the control group. The number of repeat offenses in the experimental group was smaller than in the control group. It is concluded that although in this intervention EQUIP reduced juvenile delinquents' cognitive distortions, the effect did not seem powerful enough to affect the speed and seriousness of recidivism. The lower number of repeat offenses in the EQUIP group is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the internet by individuals who are sexually interested in children is considered a major problem which has received a tremendous amount of attention in recent years from the media, general public and law enforcement. However, there has been relatively little research on the so-called “travellers”, men who attempt to solicit children online to eventually meet in person for sexual purposes. This exploratory study will address the types of cognitive distortions possessed by a sample (n=18) of men who were arrested for attempting to solicit sex from minors online. These arrests were part of proactive investigations where law enforcement personnel and associates pose as a minor online to identify men who are soliciting sex from children. The results indicate the presence of three types of cognitive distortions in these subjects—refutation, minimization and justifications/rationalizations. The majority of subjects offered justifications/rationalizations, and sought to minimize their behaviour. Implications for mental health professionals and law enforcement are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a critique of the concept of cognitive distortion as it has been developed within the domain of sex-offender treatment programme theory and practice. Drawing upon a discursive psychology perspective, it is argued that cognitive distortions should not be considered as mental entities but as social practices. This argument is illustrated by closely examining how offenders' accounts of their offences during sex offender treatment sessions were organized. Recordings and transcriptions of treatment group sessions were analysed for the occurrence of regular patterns of talk and interaction. This analysis focused on how minimization was achieved through well documented rhetorical and conversational devices (conversational repair, narrative contrast devices). An orientation to cognitive distortions as a resource was also illustrated through examining its use by group members to admonish a focus offender and through a narrative reflexivity device. These findings suggest that the notion of cognitive distortion and its role in treatment settings should be reconsidered. Furthermore, it is suggested that a discursive psychology perspective can also make a highly relevant contribution to the evaluation of treatment group processes and that further research is needed in order to examine in detail the way that treatment groups are socially organized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to follow up exploratory research suggesting that the inverse relationship between test anxiety and examination performance was mediated by cognitive distortions such as catastrophising. Self-report data for measures of test anxiety and cognitive distortions were collected from students in their final year of compulsory schooling. Examination performance data was collected in mathematics, English language and science. Results supported a model in which cognitive distortions corresponding to the academic domain fully mediated the relationship between two components of test anxiety, worry and bodily symptoms, and academic achievement. This finding is consistent with theories attributing the debilitating influence of anxiety to the presence of interfering cognitions and helps to specify the nature of these interfering cognitions which test anxiety interventions may target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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