Self-generated thoughts as predictors of depressive symptoms among university students

Abstract

Background: Self-generated thoughts (SGT) are followed by practicing daydreaming and provoked by establishing internal changes (i.e., spontaneous thoughts) that occur inside the individual instead of actual perceptual information. The current study was planned to investigate the predictive role and prevalence of self-generated thoughts (daydreaming) on depressive symptoms among university students. Methods: The data was collected through purposive sampling technique from different universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A sample of 300 respondents including 150 male and 150 female university students with minimum education of 14 years were included. Reliable assessment tools, i.e., ‘Day-Dreaming Frequency Scale’ and ‘Beck Depression Inventory’ were used in present study. Results: Male and female with self-generated thoughts were 16 (5.3%) undergraduates, 127 (42.3%) graduates, and 157 (52.3%) postgraduates with age range of 18–28 years and mean age 23.76±2.65 years. Self-generated thoughts were more common in females (35.08±11.24), as compared to males (32.95±10.54). Females scored higher (18.62±9.70) on depressive symptoms than males (17.83±10.31). Conclusion: Self-generated thoughts was a significant positive predictor of depressive symptoms and the prevalence rate of self-generated thoughts and depressive symptoms was higher in females than male university students. To overcome excessive daydreaming some intervention programs such as daydream reduction techniques, increases focus, and the activities that sustain attention should be planned.

Pak J Physiol 2020;16(1):52–5