COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND NIGHTMARE DISTRESS IN ADULTS WITH EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE

Abstract

The main purpose of study was to examine the relationship between Cognitive distortions, Psychological distress and Nightmare distress in adults with Emotional, Physically and Sexually abuse. The correlational study was conducted from 27 September 2022 to 15 August 2023 at Bahria University Lahore Campus which is in state of Pakistan. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data sample of 152 adults (51 emotional abuse, 50 physical abuse and 51 sexual abuse adults) selected; age range of 18-30 years from different hospitals and shelter home located in Lahore by using “Traumatic Experiences checklist” as the screening tool for emotional, physical and sexual abuse adults. Three scales which are Cognitive Distortions scale (Muneeba Shakeel,2022), Psychological distress scale (Khalid,2020), and Nightmare distress scale (Kathy Belicki,1992) was used to assess cognitive distortions, psychological distress and nightmare distress respectively. Data was Analyzed on SPSS 25 Version. The relationship between cognitive distortions, psychological distress and nightmare distress in adults with emotional, physical and sexual abuse shows significant results (p=.742**, p=814**, p=.741**). The results of differences between cognitive distortions, psychological distress and nightmare distress in adults with emotional, physical and sexual abuse shows significant differences (F=114.6, p=.000, F=164.7, p=.000, F=95.73, p=.000). Mediation analysis which suggests that psychological distress significantly mediates (.17%) between the cognitive distortions and nightmare distress. The results of the differences between male and females also showed significant differences; in males (M=43.72, SD=15.54, M=73.16, SD=19.35, M=31.23, SD=31.23); in females;(M=62.11, SD=7.66, M=85.20, SD=52.27, M=40.94, SD=21.55). Cognitive distortions, psychological distress and nightmare distress were significantly present in adults with emotional, physical and sexual abuse.