An investigation of the relationship between general belief patterns and well-being

One hundred and thirty-three employees (58 males, 75 females) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC), Coatesville, PA anonymously volunteered data on a Demographic Survey, The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI, Derogatis), and The Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT, Jones). A canonical correlation analysis was used to investigate associations between general patterns of beliefs and symptomatology. Two significant pairs of variates were revealed. The first pair provided associations between Demand for Approval, High Self-Expectations, Frustration Reactive, Anxious Overconcern, and Perfectionism and psychological symptomatology. The second pair provided associations between Demand for Approval, Blame Proneness, Frustration Reactive, and Emotional Irresponsibility and somatic symptoms. A MANOVA was used to assess for gender differences. There was no significant general gender effect. However, univariate analyses revealed significant effects for seven BSI variables. This study supported the belief that one's pattern of thinking is related to one's pattern of symptomatology. This has implications for use in health psychology and behavioral medicine.