Irrational beliefs in relation to self-esteem and depression

The joint relationship of depression and self-esteem to Ellis' "irrational beliefs" as measured by the Irrational Beliefs Test (Jones, 1968) was investigated in an Australian sample (N = 268) of students and nonstudents. Analysis that used partial correlation and canonical correlation showed six irrational beliefs to be jointly related to low self-esteem and depression: Demand for Approval, High Self-expectations, Frustration Reactivity, Anxious Overconcern, Problem Avoidance, and Helplessness. The results confirm the findings of previous studies and are consistent with the concept of depressive self-schemas.