Fahima Farid, Lalit Lalitav Mohakud, Sharif Khan and Sudip Sundar Das
Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
Pages:30-42
Cognitive distortions (CD), which are often driven by false beliefs, give rise to unpleasant
thoughts and feelings that have a detrimental effect on both interpersonal behaviour
and academic achievement. When these distortions are severe, they can cause mental
health problems like sadness, anxiety, and tension. The present study investigates
the extent of cognitive distortions among female Muslim students (FMSs). It explores
the relationship between cognitive distortions, demographic and education-related
factors, such as area of residence, marital status, generation of learning, and educational
qualification. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 282 conveniently selected
FMSs aged 17 to 31, enrolled in higher secondary schools, colleges, and universities
in the Panchla area, Howrah district, West Bengal, India. Participants completed a
self-developed personal information sheet and the ‘Cognitive Distortion Scale’ by Sisodia
and Sharma. Data normality was evaluated using Skewness, Kurtosis, along with
Shapiro-Wilk test. Subsequently, t-tests and one-way ANOVA techniques were
employed. Results showed that FMSs had moderate cognitive distortions. Crucially,
the research revealed significant differences in cognitive distortions by learning generation
and marital status, but no significant differences in area of residence or highest
educational qualification, indicating that these variables may have a consistent effect
on the population under consideration. Addressing cognitive distortions in this
demographic is crucial for fostering academic success and positive interpersonal
relationships while mitigating the risk of mental health problems.