Revisiting cognitive distortions and psychopathology relationship: Testing mediating roles of mindfulness and negative self-focus using structural equation modeling

All people have cognitive distortions which may increase and decline time to time and their influence can be momentary or long term. As a result of the studies which are conducted related to the relationship between cognitive distortions and pscyhopathology, influence on areas like depression, anxiety, addiction, social relations is supported. Researches, generally focus on negative and positive effect of cognitive distortions on mental health. However, there is a lack of studies related to how this influence occurs. The aim of the current study is to search whether mindfulness and negative self-focus have mediatory effect in the relationship between cognitive distortions and psyhopathology. In this way, phenomena would arise which would be focused on the treatment of cognitive distortions in order to ameliorate psychopathology. Sample of the study consists of 288 voluntary participants. The degree of cognitive distortions, depression, mindfulness, rumination, negative affect and need for absolute truth is measured. In the consequence of structural equation model, it is found that cognitive distortions have influence on psychopathology and mindfulness and negative self-focus have mediatory effect/role in the relationship between psychopathology and cognitive distortions. Key Words: Mindfulness, Cognitive Distortions, Irrational Thoughts,Psychopathology, Negative Self-focus