LE3 .A278 2014

2014

Horvath, Peter

Acadia University

Degree of Master of Science

Masters

Clinical Psychology

Psychology

Maladaptive relationships are a prevalent aspect of our society (Statistics Canada, 2006) and a difficult problem to treat in therapy (Bell, Goodman & Dutton, 2007). There is extensive research that suggests faulty cognitions have a role to play in both maladaptive relationships (Towns & Adams, 2000) and emotional distress (Beck, 2008). Research on maladaptive relationships has begun to explore the connection between remaining in an abusive relationship and emotional distress and how faulty cognitions may mediate that relationship (Calvete, Estevez & Corral, 2007). The present study examined how different faulty cognitions (measured as three types: general, intimate relationship and maladaptive relationship faulty cognitions) could mediate the association between being in a maladaptive relationship and emotional distress. It was hypothesized that specific, maladaptive relationship faulty cognitions would best mediate the relationship between being in a maladaptive relationship and emotional distress. A bootstrapping analysis indicated that only general and intimate relationship faulty cognitions mediated a relationship between maladaptive relationships and emotional distress. A supplementary analysis of how faulty cognitions mediated the relationship between emotional distress and maladaptive relationships was also conducted and revealed that only specific, abusive relationship faulty cognitions mediated the relationship between emotional distress and maladaptive relationships. This finding suggests that the specific type of faulty cognitions may be one of the main factors for why women remain in abusive relationships. Additional research regarding faulty cognitions and the type of maladaptive relationship experienced (e.g., abusive, unfaithful, no love, etc.) is warranted. Faulty Cognitions in Maladaptive Relationships

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:319