A Turkish Translation of a Measure of Irrational and Rational Beliefs: Reliability, Validity Studies and Confirmation of the Four Cognitive Processes Model

This study adapted the Attitudes and Belief Scale-2 (ABS-2) into Turkish and investigated its factor structure, criterion-related validity, and psychometric properties. The ABS-2 assesses REBT’s irrational and rational beliefs. Each item reflects one of the four cognitive processes thought identified the theory to reflect irrationality or rationality. These include demandingness versus preferences, awfulizing versus realistic negative evaluations, frustration intolerance versus tolerance, and self-condemnation versus self-acceptance. Each item reflects one of three content areas of achievement, affiliation, or comfort. Despite the ABS-2’s good validity, researchers have criticized its factor structure. This weak support questions REBT’s theoretical assumptions. This article includes four studies that describe the translation into Turkish and comparability of the two versions, the test–retest reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion-related validity. The four samples consisted of 811 participants. A two-factor structure (one representing rational items and another consists irrational beliefs items) was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity analysis was supported as the ABS-2 correlated positively with the Jones’ Irrational Beliefs Test, anxiety and depression dimensions of brief symptom inventory, and the need for absolute truth. The research supported the four cognitive process model.