Distorsiones cognitivas y nivel de consumo de alcohol en estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Cuenca durante el periodo septiembre 2025-febrero 2026

Abstract

Cognitive distortions are automatic and maladaptive thought patterns in response to stressful or challenging situations. They reflect deeply held beliefs about oneself, others, and the environment, leading to inappropriate emotional and behavioral responses. Their presence has been associated with multiple psychological problems because they encourage impulsive and dangerous decisions, such as alcohol consumption. This research aimed to describe cognitive distortions according to the level of alcohol consumption in a student population. A quantitative approach with a descriptive scope and a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was used. The Automatic Thoughts Inventory (IPA) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were administered to a non-probability convenience sample of 336 male and female students, with a mean age of 20.65 years, from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Cuenca. The results showed that the most frequent cognitive distortion was the "divine reward fallacy." Regarding gender, the "shoulds" fallacy was most prominent among men, while "filtering" was more prevalent among women. Furthermore, 58.9% of the sample reported occasional alcohol consumption, more frequently among women. In conclusion, it was found that students who do not consume alcohol exhibit a lower percentage of cognitive distortions. Meanwhile, among participants with occasional or risky alcohol consumption, the "divine reward fallacy," "fairness fallacy," and "filtering" were predominant.