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Indigenous Mental Health Perspective in cognitive distortions: A Cross-

Sectional Study of Coping Strategies, Cognitive Distortions and Depression in
University Students

Article · January 2021

DOI: 10.53107/nnjp.v1i2.9

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 Nature-Nurture Journal of Psychology (2021)
(NNJP 1: 1; 2021) DOI: https://doi.org/10.53107/nnjp.v1i2.9

Indigenous Mental Health Perspective in cognitive distortions: A Cross-Sectional

Study of Coping Strategies, Cognitive Distortions and Depression in University
Students
Aiman Batool Jaffri, Syed Abeer Mukhtar & Syed Zaki Husain Rizvi

Abstract
Background: Cognitive distortions is a global public health problem. Proper health care and
intervention are an essential need for all human being and access for management is all
human’s right globally. The purpose of the current study is to contribute as well as spread
knowledge to the community understanding of coping strategies, cognitive distortions and
depression. Further, this research also examined the association among coping strategies,
cognitive distortions and depression in university students.
Methods: A purposive sampling technique and cross-sectional study design were used to carry
out current study. Two hundred participants (male, n = 100; female, n= 100) with age ranged
from 18 to 26 (M = 22.6, SD = 1.10) years were recruited from different public and private
university students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2021. Three instruments were
used to measure cognitive distortions, coping strategies, and symptoms of depression in
university students.
Results: This present study’s results illustrated that cognitive distortion was statistically
positively significant associated with denial coping strategy, emotional support coping strategy,
behavioral disengagement coping strategy, self-blame coping strategy, and depression in
university students. Furthermore, the findings of this study revealed that active-coping coping
strategy is playing role of moderator on the relationship between cognitive distortions and
depression in university students.
Conclusions: This study recommended that cognitive distortions could be stimulated mental
health issues such as depression in university students. Furthermore, the findings of this study
demonstrated the need for early detection of cognitive distortion and depression disorder to
prevent as well as management the risk of mental health problems including depression in
young university students. From the implication point of view, increasing use of active coping
strategies and decreasing the use of avoidant or maladaptive coping strategies for managing
depression may or may not be useful for individuals experiencing depression.

Keywords: Cognitive distortions, coping strategies, and depression.

1. MPhil scholar, National Institute of Psychology, Quaid- i -Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
2. MPhil scholar, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
3. Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Department of Pharmacy, USA.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Aiman Batool Jaffri, National Institute of Psychology,
Quaid- i -Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Email: ableoseven@gmail.com.
 46

Background (Marco et al., 2020; Matsunaga, 2010). However, a few

Depression is one of the most common deleterious studies have investigated the association among cognitive
mental health problem that is related to substantial distortion, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms in
impairments in cognitive functioning and quality of life in university students.
adults(Cotrena et al., 2016; Cuijpers et al., 2019; Hafsa et al., Many earlier researches explained the jeopardy of
2021; Kumar & Nayar, 2020; Mukku et al., 2021; Rashid et impaired cognitive functioning in the maintenance and
al., 2021; Roehr, 2013; Roh et al., 2021; Saif et al., 2021; development of depression disorder (Pössel & Black, 2014).
Sarfraz et al., 2021; Shuja et al., 2020; Toqeer et al., 2021; A longitudinal study conducted by Pössel and Black (2014),
Yakovenko & Hodgins, 2018). A growing body of theoretical they found that symptoms of depression have been led
and empirical studies recommended that mental health toward cognitive distortions and memory lose (Pössel &
problems especially depression more frequently experience Black, 2014). Moreover, those peoples who had symptoms
in clinical population as compared to normal population of depression, these symptoms were found to associate with
(Mukku et al., 2021; Yakovenko & Hodgins, 2018). higher cognitive biases and dysfunctional attitudes (Scher et
Certainly, earlier studies found that those individuals with al., 2009).Whereas, recent studies illustrated that cognitive
depression disorder, they were mostly faced cognitive distortion found to predict depression symptoms in different
dysfunction (Roh et al., 2021). Regrettably, however, our samples. This present study was also investigated the
understanding related to coexisting association between association among coping strategies, cognitive distortion,
depression and cognitive distortion is minimal for student and depression in university students.
sample. A study conducted by Yakovenko and Hodgins Additionally, there is a lot of theoretical evidence to
(2018) led causal inferences that depression exacerbated recommend that cognitive impairment in depression patients
cognitive functioning in normal sample. However, a few could develop from the similar fundamental neurobiological
researches have investigated the complex mechanisms and procedures. Many previous studies have recommended that
process wherein symptoms of depression lead to higher risk both environmental and genetic risk factors could drag to
of cognitive distortions (Mukku et al., 2021; Yakovenko & functional variations in brain systems which is involved in
Hodgins, 2018). essential parts of cognition, it enhances vulnerability and lead
Cognitive distortions are characterized the ways of toward mental health problems in general normal population
thinking that job to sustain and facilitate earlier held (Buckholtz & Meyer-Lindenberg, 2012). It may illustrate
“assumptions and beliefs by generalizing, distorting or deficiencies in the cognitive competency to regulate
deleting external and internal stimuli” (Cole et al., 2020; expectations in response to reject evidence, demonstrating in
Dozois, 2010, 2021). These thinking patterns incline to be cognitive dysfunctions in normal and clinical population.
maladaptive as well as may aggravate severity of Whereas, cognitive distortion have been considered as a
psychological disorders as depression, anxiety, and drug deleterious and important factor for development of
addiction (Yüksel & Bahadir‐Yilmaz, 2019). Moreover, depression (Kambara et al., 2021). For instance, current
cognitive these beliefs create and consider an important risk longitudinal researches have illustrated that individuals who
factor for depression disorder(Beck & Bredemeier, 2016). were found cognitive distortions, they have been reported
Similarly, these kinds of cognitive beliefs are found in major and found at high risk of developing depression
depression with different co-morbid symptoms. Persons with (Kürümlüoğlugil & Tanrıverdi, 2021).
symptoms of depression revealed deficiencies in examine the Everyone often presents university as "the best time
probability of future events or tasks as well as remember of your life," but this vision will fall short when it comes with
negative more eagerly as compared to positive events or tasks so many difficult paths. The same ongoing academic
(Beck & Bredemeier, 2016; Rudasill et al., 2014). situation may have different impact on different individuals.
Theoretical framework The way of thinking and cognition play a role in perceiving
The theoretical framework of present research these various situations. These cognitive processes have an
integrates the recent cognitive theoretical models based on impact on the psychological well-being of the students. The
depression, which highlight the bi-directional association lack of emphasis on positive cognition leads to psychological
between cognitive distortions, coping strategies, and distress and depression (Noor et al., 2016) . Cognitive
depression. These conceptual model assumes that interaction distortions are one of the contributory factors for depression.
between coping strategies and cognitive distortions develops, There are cognitive errors caused by negative biases that have
sustained, and improve mental health issues particular been linked to an increased risk of depression (Dozois, 2021;
depression in university students. Beck's cognitive theory Rehna et al., 2020; Rizwan et al., 2020). All-or-nothing
explained that cognitive distortion is one most potential thought, overgeneralizing, discounting the good, leaping to
factor in development of depression symptoms (Scott et al., conclusions, mind reading, fortunetelling, magnifying
2010). Patients with depression disorder could have (catastrophizing) or minimizing, irrational logic, “should-y”
fundamental cognitive ways that enhance and sustain risk thinking, marking (or mislabeling), and personalization are
of depression’s relapse (Rude et al., 2010). Therefore, the most popular cognitive distortions.
cognitive behavior therapy grounded on Beck's cognitive Depression is a medical condition marked by a lack
model may assist to improve and increase social adaptation of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or
since it explains the impaired thought that can enhance the poor self-worth, sleep or appetite disturbances, and
risk of depression relapse. There is a lot of study conducted insufficient focus.. All are symptoms of depression.
on abovementioned relationship that clearly explain Literatures have found an association between negative
cognitive behavior therapy is most useful clinical cognition and depression. Literature discussed cognitive
intervention to handle cognitive distortions and depression distortions as an endogenous variable that contribute to the
 47
development of depression(Shoukat et al., 2015; Sidrah et al., depression are more closely related to emotional stress, these
2015). The distorted thoughts being the strong correlation of variables were hypothesized to moderate the role of coping
depression for boys they found that levels of distorted strategies between them(Abbas, et al., 2019; Abbas, et al.,
thought patterns and depressing symptoms enhanced 2019; Yüksel & Bahadir‐Yilmaz, 2019).
streamline through age 19, whereas among girls around age In sum, whereas there is plenty of theoretical
16 prevalence rate peaked(Gogheri et al., 2021). According evidence that cognitive distortion and depression normally
to study conducted by Gogheri et al. (2021), ten percent co-occur, as well as that cognitive distortion is higher
presenting at basic care facilities was found to have reported occurred with symptoms of depression, the mechanism of bi-
suicidal ideation, which is the symptom of depression. They directional association has not been entirely clarified in
observed that a high degree of negative cognition was an university students. Moreover, a few evidence recommended
important contributor to the development of major depressive that cognitive distortions could better understand a
disorder in a study conducted on 1507 adults(Gogheri et al., mechanism wherein interaction between symptoms of
2021). depression and coping strategies are associated in normal
Effective coping is required to deal with stress and population. This present study directly investigated the
avoid depression. Coping is mostly an attitude-based method assumption that the coping strategies moderates between
that includes a variety of mental interventions. “Positive cognitive distortions and depression in university students.
thinking,” such as reframing, laughter, or optimism; “social This study also predicted that: (1) higher level of cognitive
support,” such as finding emotional and instrumental support distortions would predict and associate higher level of
from others; and “turning to religion,” such as trusting higher depression symptoms (2) active coping and problem focused
forces to gain relief, are also common coping mechanisms. coping strategies would predict and associated lower level of
These active coping strategies give the positive vibe to the cognitive distortions or depression symptoms, and (3) coping
brain thus decreasing depression(Mukku et al., 2021). Use of strategies would moderate on the relationship between
un-healthy ways of coping with stressful situations show a cognitive distortions and depression in university students.
positive association with depression(Mukku et al., 2021). Method
Several psychological mechanisms such as
Research design
cognitive distortions and pressure of society influence the
A purposive sampling technique and cross-sectional
occurrence of depression, the early development of cognitive
design were used in present study.
distortions in a child is also likely to contribute to adopt the
avoidant coping strategies, as the ability to consider the point Objectives
of view of another person and the experience of concern can 1. To examine the association among cognitive
prevent its onset. Actually, literature revealed that not only distortions, coping strategies and depression in
was there a strong association, but cognitive distortions was university students.
still the most significant indicator of depression. Therefore, 2. To investigate the moderating role of coping
cognitive distortions for the occurrence of depression and strategies on the relationship between cognitive
other coping strategies can be taken as an individual personal distortions and depression in university students.
risk factor. In view of the positive relation between cognitive
distortions and depression (Roh et al., 2021), and the negative Hypotheses
association of active coping strategies and depression 1. Mother and father permissive and authoritative
(Yüksel & Bahadir‐Yilmaz, 2019), the socio-cognitive Cognitive distortions will be positively associated
mechanism of coping strategies may be considered as a with depression in university students.
moderator for the prediction of cognitive distortions and 2. Depression will be positively related to avoidant,
depression. denial, emotional support, self-blame and
The amount of students seeking help for depression behavioral disengagement coping strategies in
within university education has more than the amount present university students.
in lower educational standards. University is the place where 3. Depression will be negatively associated with
the students who are enrolling are at the age of their active and positive reframing coping strategies in
adolescence in which the chances of getting into the negative university students.
bias thoughts are more than any other group of age. 4. Cognitive distortions will be positively related to
Therefore, the study targeted this specific sample of avoidant coping strategies in university students.
population. Moreover, the purpose of the current research is Participants
to find the coping styles as a moderator between cognitive A purposive sampling technique and cross-sectional study
distortions and depression. There are number of coping styles approach were used to carry out current study. Two hundred
that can be beneficial for the individuals suffering from participants (male, n = 100; female, n= 100) with age ranged
distorted thoughts and prevent them from going into the from 18 to 26 (M = 22.6, SD = 1.10) years were recruited
episode of depression. Because students who often face from different public and private university students of
cognitive distortions in a negative way are more likely to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2021. The following
involve in maladaptive coping styles, since these are more inclusion and exclusion criteria was set to enroll university
consistent with automatic thinking including subjects of student for current study: only those volunteer participants
incompetence, hopelessness, un-lovability, and suppositions were included in present research who had attend regular
that they are incompetent, worthless, and un-lovable. Given classes and did not have any mental health issues. Those
that these themes are relevant to depression, cognitive students who meet the aforementioned criteria as well as they
distortions may be more related to maladaptive or avoidant were included in present study. However, those students who
type coping styles. Furthermore, the cognitive distortions and did not meet the above-mentioned criteria were excluded
 48
from this study. to carry this research was taken from the higher university’s
authority after clarifying nature of this research and
Measures confirming students that participant’s data would be kept
Three standardized instruments, cognitive secret.
distortions scale, coping strategies, and beck depression Analysis plan
inventory were applied to assess cognitive distortions, In present study, different statistical analysis was
depression disorder, and coping strategies in university performed to confirm hypotheses and objectives. Firstly, well
students. establish imputation method was applied to deal missing
Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS). It was values of the cognitive distortions scale, coping strategies,
developed by Covin et al. (2011). It is based on 20-items. It and beck depression inventory on Spss-22(Cohen et al.,
is self-reported instrument which measures the presence of 1969; Field, 2017). Secondly, person product-moment
10 types of cognitive distortions (mind-reading, correlation technique was also applied to investigation the
catastrophizing, none-all thinking, labeling, emotional association among cognitive distortions, coping strategies
reasoning, personalization, mental filtering, and depression in university students (Field, 2017). Finally,
overgeneralization, should statements, disqualifying or a moderation analysis was performed to confirm the
minimizing the positive). A definition of the distortion is moderating role of coping strategies on the relationship
given to the students in which the example of that specific between cognitive distortions and depression through Spss-
type is exemplified in an achievement and interpersonal 22 (Baron & Kenny, 1986).
context. Participants indicate the frequency with which they Results
engage in the type of thinking on a 7-point Likert-type scale In Table 1, this study’s findings illustrated that cognitive
(1 = Never, 7 = All the time) in social and achievement distortion was statistically positively significant associated
situations. Total scores are acquired by addition of scores. with denial coping strategies (r=.24**, p< .01), emotional
CDS has good psychometric properties in samples (Covin et support coping strategy (r=.35**, p < .01) behavioral
al., 2011). disengagement coping strategy (r=.39**, p <.01), self-blame
Beck depression inventory (BDI). It was coping strategy (r =30**, p< .01) and depression (r=.42**, p<
developed by Beck et al. (1988). It is a 21-item measure used .01) in university students. Further, the study’s results
to determine the intensity of depression. Students are asked demonstrated that denial coping strategy was statistically
to rate every statement on a 0 to 3 scale according to how positively significant associated with depression (r =.21**, p<
well it describes how they have felt over the past two weeks. .01). Moreover, this study also revealed that emotional
Total scores are gained through summation in which greater support, self-blame, behavioral disengagement coping
depressive symptoms are calculated by having more scores. strategies were statistically positively significant associated
The BDI have been extensively used in the sample of every with depression. Moreover, this study’s results revealed that
age group and have good psychometric properties(Beck et positive reframing coping strategy was negatively related with
al., 1988). depression (r= -.20**, p< .01).
Brief COPE Inventory. It was developed by In Table 2, the results of study revealed that active
Carver (1997). It is the reduced version of the original COPE coping strategy was playing a significant role of moderator
Inventory and assesses 14 coping types with 28 questions. between on the relationship between cognitive distortions and
Every type has 2 questions. The score range is 4- point depression in university students. The aforementioned Table
Likert-type in which responses range from 1 (“I’ve not done demonstrated active coping strategy was statistically
this at all”) to 4 (“I’ve been doing this a lot”). The total score negatively significant predicting to depression in university
is calculated by summation(Carver, 1997). students. Whereas cognitive distortion was positively non-
significant predicting to depression in university students.
Procedure However, the results of this study revealed that interaction
between active-coping strategy and cognitive distortion was
This study was performed in agreement with the statistically negatively significant predicting to depression in
Department of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University, and university students (β=-1.23*, ΔF=.04***, ΔR2=.05).
Islamabad, Pakistan. Two hundred university students were In Table 3, the results of study revealed that denial
recruited from different public and private university coping strategy was not playing a significant role of moderator
students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Informed between on the relationship between cognitive distortions and
consent for performing this study was obtained from all depression in university students. The above mention Table
volunteer participants and higher authorities of universities. revealed that denial coping strategy was statistically negatively
Only those volunteer students who shown their willingness non-significant predicting to depression in university students.
for participating in present study. Three standardized Whereas cognitive distortion was positively non-significant
instruments, cognitive distortions scale, coping strategies, predicting to depression in university students. However, the
and beck depression inventory were applied to assess results of this study revealed that interaction between denial
cognitive distortions, depression disorder, and coping coping strategy and cognitive distortion was statistically
strategies in university students. Students were requested to negatively significant predicting to depression in university
fulfill a set of three standardized instruments with students (β=-2.75, ΔF=1.108, ΔR2=.00).
demographic information within time of one hours. Approval
 49
Results
Table 1
Mean standard deviation, correlation matrix and alpha coefficient among cognitive distortions, coping
strategies, and depression along their subscales in university students (N=200)
Variables M SD α 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
1. Cognitive distortion 69.9919.44.88- .93**.93**.25**.12 -.04 .24**.03 .35**.03 .39** .12 -.09 .05 .04 .05 .09 .30**.43**
2. Social Domain 34.3710.38.81 - .73**.28**.16* -.01 .24**-.05 .32**.06 .35** .10 -.02 .14 .02 .12 .09 .29**.35**
3. Achievement domain 35.6210.51.80 - .19**.06 -.07 .21**.12 .32**-.01 .38** .12 -.16 -.04 .06 -.02 .08 .26**.44**
4.Coping strategies 66.6810.60.76 - .45**.47**.41**-.04 .55**.59** .29** .54**.54** .47** .41**.51**.54**.56**.07
5.Self distraction 5.12 1.58 .54 - .17* .16* -.17* .26**.04 .08 .14 .28** .22** .06 .26**.15* .28**.11
6.Active coping 5.83 1.58 .54 - .02 -.35**.07 .38** -.19**.12 .52** .48** -.02 .33**.26**.12 .23**
7.Denial 3.59 1.50 .51 - .06 .19**.18** .24** .20**.08 .05 .16* -.00 .09 .22**.21**
8.Substance use 2.52 1.18 .73 - .13 -.19**.36** .00 -.25**-.29**.14* -.18*-.13 -.11 .12
9. Emotional support 4.68 1.52 .50 - .22** .33** .31**.09 .06 .15* .08 .21**.44**.23**
10.Instrumental support 4.89 1.80 .72 - -.02 .18* .30** .37** .16* .29**.39**.37**-.17*
11.Behavioral disengagement4.06 1.54 .51 - .12 -.11 -.11 .12 -.05 .03 .25**.36**
12.Venting 4.50 2.67 .51 - .14 -.01 .21**.19**.17* .13 .08
13.Positive reframing 5.50 1.62 .53 - .40** .14 .36**.32**.12 -.20**
14.Planning 5.51 1.59 .54 - .02 .31* .36**.18* -.17*
15.Humor 4.21 1.80 .65 - .13* -.01 .25**.04
16.Acceptance 5.58 1.43 .31 - .35**.20* -.11
17.Religion 5.95 1.61 .59 - .24**-.02
18.Self-blame 4.74 1.44 .54 - .23**
19.Depression 13.88 9.57 .88 -
Note. *p < .01, **p < .00, ***p < .000.

Table 2
The moderating role of active-coping coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive distortions
and depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) 24.33 84.03 .77 .05 .04 .000
CD -.04 1.19 -.08 .97
AC -1.275 .38 -.21 .00
CD*AC -21.00 .02 -.50 .00
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; AC= Active coping strategy. *p < .01, **p <
.00, ***p < .000.
Table 3
The moderating role of denial of coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive distortions and
depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) 92.26 90.12 .30 .00 1.108 .29
CD -1.16 1.29 -2.36 .36
DCS .84 .42 .13 .06
CD*DCS -.02 .02 -2.75 .29
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; DCS = Denial coping strategy. *p < .01, **p <
.00, ***p < .000.
 50
Table 4
The moderating role of emotional support coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive
distortions and depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) 57.49 96.73 . .00 .38 .53
CD -.65 1.30 -1.34 .63
EMC .57 .43 .09 .18
CD*EMC -.01 .02 -1.73 .53
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; EMC= Emotional support coping strategy. *p <
.01, **p < .00, ***p < .000.
Table 5
The moderating role of behavioral disengagement coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive
distortions and depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) 6.38 87.15 .94 .00 .01 .91
CD .02 1.24 .04 .98
BD 1.44 .42 .23 .00
CD*BD -.00 .02 -.28 .91
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; BD= Behavioral disengagement coping strategy.
*p < .01, **p < .00, ***p < .000.
Table 6
The moderating role of positive reframing coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive
distortions and depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) 84.95 86.91 .33 .00 .84 .35
CD -.93 1.24 -1.90 .450
PFC -.99 .37 -.16 .00
CD*PFC -.01 .02 -2.31 .35
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; PFC= Positive reframing coping strategy. *p <
.01, **p < .00, ***p < .000.
Table 7
The moderating role of self-blame coping strategy on the relationship between cognitive distortions and
depression in university students (N=200)
DV IV B SE β p Δ R2 Δ F2 p
BDI (Constant) -13.20 95.89 .89 .00 .01 .91
CD -.33 1.36 -.67 .80
SB .79 .44 .11 .07
CD*SB .00 .02 .28 .91
Note. BDI= Back depression inventory; CD = Cognitive distortion scale; PFC= Self-blame coping strategy. *p < .01, **p
< .00, ***p < .000.
 51
In Table 4, the results of study revealed that emotionalsecond objectives. Furthermore, the findings illustrated that
support coping strategy was not playing a significant role active-coping
of coping strategy is playing role of moderator on
moderator between on the relationship between cognitive the relationship between cognitive distortions and depression
distortions and depression in university students. The above in university students. In simple words, cognitive distortions
mention Table revealed that emotional support coping strategy are negatively associated with higher level of depression
was statistically negatively non-significant predicting because to it favors higher level of active coping strategy in
depression in university students. Whereas cognitive distortion university students. This study’s results are consistent with
was positively non-significant predicting to depression previous in study findings and it is further supported our study
university students. However, the results of this study revealed objectives (Cotrena et al., 2016; Cuijpers et al., 2019; Hafsa
that interaction between emotional support coping strategy and et al., 2021; Kumar & Nayar, 2020; Mukku et al., 2021;
cognitive distortion was statistically positively non-significant Rashid et al., 2021; Roehr, 2013; Roh et al., 2021; Saif et al.,
predicting to depression in university students (β=-1.34, ΔF=.38, 2021; Sarfraz et al., 2021; Shuja et al., 2020; Toqeer et al.,
ΔR2=.00). 2021; Yakovenko & Hodgins, 2018).. Earlier studies
In Table 5, the results of study revealed that behavioral
revealed that there was positive association between
disengagement coping strategy was not playing a significant role cognitive distortion and depression and active coping
of moderator between on the relationship between cognitive strategy was also negative associated with cognitive
distortions and depression in university students. The results of distortions and depression in university students. Moreover,
present study demonstrated that behavioral disengagement this study also revealed that avoidant coping strategy was
coping strategy was statistically positively significant predicting
positively associated with depression and cognitive
to depression in university students. Whereas cognitive distortiondistortions in university students (Kumar & Nayar, 2020;
was positively non-significant predicting to depression in Mukku et al., 2021).Furthermore, this study’s findings
university students. However, the results of this study revealed further supported that the exercise of evaluating and
that interaction between behavioral disengagement coping modifying cognitive distortions as a therapeutic goal of
strategy and cognitive distortion was statistically negatively depressed individual’s cognitive behavioral therapy (Mukku
non-significant predicting to depression in university students et al., 2021). Previous studies revealed that active coping and
(β=-.28, ΔF=.01, ΔR2=.00). positive reframing were negatively related to depression.
In Table 6, the findings of present study demonstrated Further, a few studies revealed that depression was
that positive reframing coping strategy was not playing positively a related to avoidant coping styles such as denial,
significant role of moderator between on the relationship between emotional support, behavioral disengagement, and self-
cognitive distortions and depression in university students. The blame (Yüksel & Bahadir‐Yilmaz, 2019).
results of present study demonstrated that positive reframing Limitations and Suggestions
coping strategy was statistically negatively significant predicting Overall, this study has many limitations. Firstly, it
to depression in university students. Whereas cognitive distortionwas carried out through cross-sectional/correlational design,
was negatively non-significant predicting to depression in the causal inferences was not drawn of the experimental
university students. However, the results of this study revealed association of the cognitive distortions with coping strategies
that interaction between positive reframing coping strategy and and depression cannot be established. Besides, the study's
cognitive distortion was statistically negatively non-significant generalizability is hampered by the sample's composition.
predicting to depression in university students (β=-2.31, ΔF=.84, Longitudinal studies are required to look at how the
ΔR2=.00). relationships between cognitive distortions, coping
In Table 7, the findings of present study demonstrated mechanisms, and depression change over time. The survey
that Self-blame coping strategy was not playing a significant roleand questionnaire method was used for data collection so
of moderator between on the relationship between cognitive chances of over-reporting and under-reporting are present.
distortions and depression in university students. The results of Therefore, future research should be based on other methods
present study demonstrated that Self-blame coping strategy was of data collection to examine the moderating role of coping
statistically positively non-significant predicting to depression in
strategies between cognitive distortions and depression using
university students. Whereas cognitive distortion was negatively behavioral and process measures.
non-significant predicting to depression in university students. Implications of study
However, the results of this study revealed that interaction This study’s results is providing new directions for
between self-blame coping strategy and cognitive distortion was intervention of cognitive distortions and depression in
statistically negatively non-significant predicting to depression in
university students. These results of study are not just useful
university students (β=.28, ΔF=.01, ΔR2=.00). in development of the intervention of cognitive distortions
Discussion and depression but it also used to understand the causes
The present study investigated the potential and outcomes of depression in university students that
moderation pathways among cognitive distortions, coping might enhances the threat of depression and these causal
strategies and depression in university students. Moreover, factor may further trigger mental health issues in university
this study aimed to investigate the association cognitive students.
distortions, coping strategies and depression in university
students. The current results demonstrated that cognitive
distortion was statistically positively significant associated
with denial coping strategies, emotional support coping
strategy, behavioral disengagement coping strategy, self-
blame coping strategy and depression in university students.
These findings are aligned with our study’s first and
 52
Conclusion
Youth with cognitive distortions experienced a significantly References
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exposure of cognitive distortions. This study also support for marital adjustment, depression, anxiety,
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