Relationship between Irrational beliefs and life satisfaction in early adolescents

Abstract

Problem Statement: Early adolescence is a rather challenging period with regard to experiencing positive feelings and making positive evaluations of life. It is important to reveal the relationship between life satisfaction, (which shapes the cognitive component of subjective well-being) and irrational beliefs (which lead to psychological disturbances as a cognitive structure during early adolescence). Relationships between irrational beliefs and life satisfaction in adults may be better understood when they are examined from the perspective that irrational beliefs rooted in childhood and adolescence may have a negative role on an individual's life in his or her advanced years.

Purpose of Study: This study investigated the relationship between life satisfaction domains and irrational beliefs among Turkish early adolescents. Life satisfaction in different domains was examined with respect to irrational beliefs (the demands for success, respect, and comfort) in the total sample and in girl and boy groups.

Methods: The Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale and the Irrational Belief Scale for Adolescents were administered to 304 adolescents attending three junior high schools in Denizli, Turkey. Hierarchical regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for data analysis.

Findings and Results: Research findings indicate that total irrational beliefs and the demand for comfort generally have a negative relationship with life satisfaction domains and that the demands for respect and success have an unexpected positive relationship with some life satisfaction domains (e.g., self satisfaction). Among girls, only a negative demand for comfort was found to predict life satisfaction domains; however, among boys, besides the demand for comfort, a demand for success and a demand for respect were found to predict life satisfaction positively in several domains. Demand for comfort generally emerged as the strongest predictor of life satisfaction in the total sample and the girl and boy groups.

Conclusions and Recommendations: The present study indicated a generally negative relationship between (1) life satisfaction domains and total irrational beliefs and (2) the demand for comfort. However, there is an unexpected positive relationship between the demands for respect and for success and some life satisfaction domains. Since the findings of this study are based on correlation and regression values, it is difficult to establish a causal relationship. For this reason, further studies are necessary to investigate the relationships between irrational beliefs and life satisfaction, together with familial and cultural factors and demographic variables. Furthermore, a longitudinal research study may likewise be conducted to study the changes in the relationship between irrational beliefs and life satisfaction from early adolescence to late adolescence.