IMPACT OF DEPRESSION ON THE INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY OF TEENAGERS IN PAKISTAN
Authors:
Zayna K. Mian, Raafia R. Khan, Andleeb Zahra, & Dr. Feriha Peracha
Abstract:
Low cognitive complexity, characterized by categorical thinking that does not recognize the validity of different viewpoints, is an important psychological predictor of radical views and violence in youth. Research shows that some of the stressors that increase the vulnerability of individuals to low complexity and constrained thinking include family issues, traumatic events, and threats to identity. Given the recent increase in mental health issues in adolescence, this paper examines whether depression has an impact on the Integrative Complexity (IC) of teenagers. Results of the study on a group of students from an SOS Village school in Pakistan show that depression levels have a significant negative correlation to value complexity (r=-.474) in youth. These findings highlight the need to explore interventions in teenagers to reduce the impact of depression on their cognitive ability and limit susceptibility to extremist views and violence.