Self-Generated Thoughts as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms among University Students

Sadaf Ahsan; Iqra Kiran

Abstract:

Background:Self-generatedthoughts(SGT) arefollowedbypracticingdaydreamingandprovokedbyestablishinginternalchanges(i.e.,spontaneousthoughts)thatoccurinsidetheindividualinsteadofactualperceptualinformation.Thecurrentstudywasplannedtoinvestigatethepredictiveroleandprevalenceofself-generatedthoughts(daydreaming)ondepressivesymptomsamonguniversitystudents.Methods:ThedatawascollectedthroughpurposivesamplingtechniquefromdifferentuniversitiesofRawalpindiandIslamabad.Asampleof300respondentsincluding150 maleand150 femaleuniversitystudentswithminimumeducationof14yearswereincluded.Reliableassessmenttools,i.e., ‘Day-Dreaming Frequency Scale’ and ‘Beck Depression Inventory’ were usedinpresentstudy.Results:Maleandfemalewithself-generatedthoughtswere16(5.3%)undergraduates,127(42.3%)graduates,and157(52.3%)postgraduateswithagerangeof18–28yearsand mean age 23.76±2.65 years. Self-generatedthoughtsweremorecommoninfemales(35.08±11.24),ascomparedtomales(32.95±10.54).Femalesscoredhigher(18.62±9.70) ondepressivesymptomsthanmales(17.83±10.31).Conclusion:Self-generatedthoughtswasasignificantpositivepredictorofdepressivesymptomsandtheprevalencerateofself-generatedthoughtsanddepressivesymptomswashigherinfemalesthanmaleuniversitystudents.Toovercomeexcessivedaydreamingsomeinterventionprogramssuchasdaydreamreductiontechniques,increasesfocus,andtheactivitiesthatsustainattentionshouldbeplanned.Keywords:Self-generatedthoughts,daydreaming,depressivesymptoms,universitystudents

research from:

• Foundation University - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Year:

2020

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Pakistan Journal of Physiology

Volume:

16

Number:

1

Pages:

52-55

Month:

3