Abstract
There has been little exploration of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and Nolen-Hoeksem's response styles theory within Arab populations. The study investigates the generalizability of these clinically influential models to Emirati citizens residing within United Arab Emirates (UAE). An opportunity sample of 450 undergraduate participants was assessed for dysfunctional attitudes using an Arabic/English 40-item version of Weissman and Beck's Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Participants also completed Arabic/English versions of Nolen-Hoeksema's ruminative response styles (RRS) scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Correlation and regression analyses showed depression to be associated with both RRS and dysfunctional attitudes. The study supports the generalization of these clinically influential theories of depression within a UAE context.