The relationship between irrational cognitions and mindfulness in clinical and non-clinical subjects

Abstract

The observation that psychopharmacology is only temporarily improving the general psychic state of the patients is the basis of this work. A high level of irrational cognitions will remain present and will react after the ending of the medical treatment. This study compares two samples of subjects, with and without psychiatric diseases, from the perspective of their irrational cognitions and the level of their conscious presence (mindfulness). We hypothesised that irrational cognitions and the level of mindfulness are negatively correlated in the two groups, with a significant higher level of irrationality for the psychiatric patients. The subjects (Ntot=103) were divided into two groups, the clinical out-patients (N1=52 subjects under psychiatric medication) and non-clinical subjects (N2=51 subjects without psychiatric medication). The irrational cognitions are measured using Shortened General Attitude and Belief Scale (SGABS), whereas mindfulness level is measured with Five Facet Mindfulness Questionaire (FFMQ). The results show that the irrationality level is significantly higher in the clinical group (m=74.43, SD=17.17), compared to the non-clinical group (m=61.27, SD=16.12), t(100) = 3.98, p<.01, d=3.22), whereas the mindfulness level is only slightly higher in the non-clinical sample. Also, the results show that there is an negative correlation between the level of irrationality and mindfulness, in the non-clinical sample (r = - .51, p<.01, r2 = 0.26). These results pinpoint the possibility of addressing the irrational beliefs, via psychological approaches, in order to maintain a good level of psychic functioning.