Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a measure of dysfunctional thinking when used with depressed and nondepressed older adults. Demographically similar groups of depressed and nondepressed elders completed the Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CEQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory. Scores from the questionnaire were submitted to factor analyses, and split-half reliabilities were calculated. The factor analyses indicated that one factor explained most of the variance, suggesting that the questionnaire measures general dysfunctional thinking in older adults. Collapsed scores reliably separated depressed and nondepressed elders, and the questionnaire evidenced high internal reliability. However, scores were nonsignificantly correlated with Beck Depression scores, which may reflect an instrument weakness or indicate age-related changes in the role of dysfunctional thinking. Directions for research are discussed.
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