Cognitive styles and psychological functioning in rural South African school students: Understanding influences for risk and resilience in the face of chronic adversity. (17th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cortina, Melissa A.; Stein, Alan; Kahn, Kathleen; Hlungwani, Tintswalo Mercy; Holmes, Emily A.; Fazel, Mina
• Is Part Of: Journal of adolescence. Volume 49(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2016-03-17
• Subjects: Cognitive style -- Psychological functioning -- School -- Low and middle‐income country -- Resilience; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 305.23505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.01.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1971

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Adverse childhood experiences can show lasting effects on physical and mental health. Major questions surround how children overcome adverse circumstances to prevent negative outcomes. A key factor determining resilience is likely to be cognitive interpretation (how children interpret the world around them). The cognitive interpretations of 1025 school children aged 10–12 years in a rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged area of South Africa were examined using the Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children (CTI‐C). These were examined in relation to psychological functioning and perceptions of the school environment. Those with more positive cognitive interpretations had better psychological functioning on scales of depression, anxiety, somatization and sequelae of potentially traumatic events. Children with more negative cognitions viewed the school‐environment more negatively. Children living in poverty in rural South Africa experience considerable adversity and those with negative cognitions are at risk for psychological problems. Targeting children's cognitive interpretations may be a possible area for intervention. Highlights: Children in rural southern Africa had more negative cognitions than their counterparts in higher income countries. There was a relationship between positive cognitive interpretations and better psychological functioning. Interpretation biases, as targeted in CBT, are potentially modifiable in adolescence. Modifying negative cognitive interpretations could improve psychological outcomes and promote resilience in children.