The Status of Ego-functions, Locus of Control and Cognitive Style of the Tribal Depressive Patients of Tripura State

In the present study, a group of tribal patients suffering from clinical depression (CD) was compared with a group of matched normal control (NC) to see whether the former would show any difference with the later in terms of Ego Functions, Cognitive Style and in their attributional style of perceiving events (Locus of Control).The main objective was to examine how the relative standing of the depressive in the 3 domains, mainly Ego-Functions, Cognitive Style and Locus of Control, collectively operate to contribute to their pathology. Standardized Psychological Tests (Questionnaires) were administered following standard procedures given by the respective test devices. Results showed that the clinically depressed (CD) group, compared to the normal control (NC) group perceived self as incompetent , and lagged behind in cognitive and motivational aspects with poorer Ego-Functions mainly negative Cognitive Style and maladaptive attributional pattern to event outcomes. This predisposes them towards helplessness and hopelessness leading to a depressive state.