Research Article

Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts

Volume: 8 Number: 1 January 6, 2026
TR EN

Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts

Abstract

Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an elevated risk of mood disturbances; however, the cognitive mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently understood. Dysfunctional attitudes (DA) and negative automatic thoughts (NAT), which constitute the core cognitive structures of depression, have not been systematically examined in PCOS populations. This study aimed to investigate the influence of DA and NAT on depressive and anxiety symptoms in women with PCOS compared with healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional case–control study included premenopausal women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria and age-matched healthy controls. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS), and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ). Sociodemographic variables were recorded. Group differences and correlations between cognitive constructs and affective symptoms were analyzed using appropriate statistical procedures. Results: Women with PCOS exhibited significantly higher depression, anxiety, and total HADS scores compared with controls (all p≤0.01). They also demonstrated significantly higher ATQ scores (p=0.03), higher DAS total scores (p=0.025), and higher DAS perfectionism subscale scores (p≤0.01). ATQ were positively correlated with HADS depression, anxiety, and total scores (all p≤0.01). ATQ were also positively associated with both DAS total (p≤0.01) and DAS perfectionism subscale scores (p≤0.01). Similarly, DA showed strong positive correlations with depressive and anxiety symptoms in the PCOS group. Additionally, women with PCOS had significantly higher BMI and lower educational attainment compared with healthy controls, indicating concurrent metabolic and socioeconomic vulnerability. However, no single cognitive variable independently predicted HADS total scores in regression analysis. Conclusion: NAT and DA are markedly elevated in women with PCOS and strongly associated with depressive symptom severity. Along with higher BMI and lower socioeconomic indicators, these cognitive vulnerabilities highlight the need for an integrated biopsychosocial approach. Cognitive distortions may represent modifiable therapeutic targets, underscoring the potential value of CBT-based interventions in this high-risk group.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Ethics Committee (Decision Date: 15.01.2020, Decision No: 2020-01).

Thanks

None

References

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  8. Greenwood EA, Yaffe K, Wellons MF, Cedars MI, Huddleston HG. Depression over the lifespan in a population-based cohort of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: longitudinal analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(7):2809-2819. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-00234

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 6, 2026

Submission Date

December 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Ertekin, H., Çetiner, İ. A., Duran, N., & Beyazıt, F. (2026). Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(1), 116-122. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1836752
AMA
1.Ertekin H, Çetiner İA, Duran N, Beyazıt F. Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(1):116-122. doi:10.38053/acmj.1836752
Chicago
Ertekin, Hülya, İlhan Ahmet Çetiner, Neslihan Duran, and Fatma Beyazıt. 2026. “Depressive Symptoms in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Dysfunctional Attitudes and Negative Automatic Thoughts”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (1): 116-22. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1836752.
EndNote
Ertekin H, Çetiner İA, Duran N, Beyazıt F (January 1, 2026) Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 1 116–122.
IEEE
[1]H. Ertekin, İ. A. Çetiner, N. Duran, and F. Beyazıt, “Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 116–122, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1836752.
ISNAD
Ertekin, Hülya - Çetiner, İlhan Ahmet - Duran, Neslihan - Beyazıt, Fatma. “Depressive Symptoms in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Dysfunctional Attitudes and Negative Automatic Thoughts”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/1 (January 1, 2026): 116-122. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1836752.
JAMA
1.Ertekin H, Çetiner İA, Duran N, Beyazıt F. Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:116–122.
MLA
Ertekin, Hülya, et al. “Depressive Symptoms in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Dysfunctional Attitudes and Negative Automatic Thoughts”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 116-22, doi:10.38053/acmj.1836752.
Vancouver
1.Hülya Ertekin, İlhan Ahmet Çetiner, Neslihan Duran, Fatma Beyazıt. Depressive symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: the role of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Jan. 1;8(1):116-22. doi:10.38053/acmj.1836752

 

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