Cognitive distortion and depression among juvenile delinquents in Malaysia

This study aimed to look at cognitive distortion and depression among juvenile delinquents in Malaysia. Subjects for this study were 316 juvenile delinquents, 164 male and 152 female between 12 and 18 years of age who were undergoing rehabilitation in four rehabilitation centers (schools) and two prisons for juvenile delinquents/centers (school). Briere's Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS) was used to measure cognitive distortion and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) was used to measure depression. Results of this study showed that there was a positive significant correlation between cognitive distortion and depression. Results also indicated that there was a positive significant correlation between cognitive distortion and all the five dimensions of cognitive distortion: self-critique, self-blame, helplessness, hopelessness and preoccupation with danger. Implication for counseling is being discussed in the paper.