Cross-Cultural Validation and Comparison of Distorted Thinking Patterns across Algerian, Indian and Pakistani Population

Comparison of Distorted Thinking Patterns across Algerian, Indian and Pakistani Population

Abstract

The Cognitive Distortions Scale-Urdu (CDS-U, 2015) measures distorted thinking patterns in adults. This study was carried out to cross-culturally validate the CDS-U and assess the differences in distorted thinking patterns across Algerian, Indian and Pakistani Samples.  The translation and back translation of the instrument was done in Arabic and Hindi language following the recommended procedures. An equally representative sample of 1500 young adults with n = 500 (173 men & 327 women with Mean age=32.86, SD=6.96) from Algeria, n = 500 (286 men & 214 women with Mean age=25.14, SD=5.51) from India and n = 500 (229 men & 271 women with mean age 21.59, SD=4.39) from Pakistan were recruited from different universities through convenient sampling. The factor structure of the scale was examined through factor analysis. Results revealed four factors of the scale, consistent with the factors originally reported by the instrument developer. Cronbach's Alpha of the total 16 items of CDS-U suggests average internal consistency (0.66) for the Algerian sample and above average (0.78) for the Indian sample. The inter-item correlation of the translated CDS-U revealed that all items are significantly related (p <0.01). Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in the distorted thinking patterns of young adults from all three countries. Thus, this cross-cultural validation study demonstrated an acceptable, reliable, and valid measure of distorted thinking patterns across the three cultures. This study's findings will be beneficial in providing awareness about the contributing cultural factors in the development of cognitive distortions.