Articles in the Cognitive Therapy and Research Category
The Utility of Measuring Explanatory Flexibility in PTSD Research
Abstract This study explored how explanatory style and explanatory flexibility were related to each other and to symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Sixty-eight college students who had endorsed DSM-IV-TR PTSD Criteria A1 and A2 on the Life Events
Checklist completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire as well as self-report measures of PTSD and depression. Explanatory
flexibility demonstrated independence from explanatory style. In addition, explanatory flexibility, but not explanatory style,
was associated with [...]
Abstract This study explored how explanatory style and explanatory flexibility were related to each other and to symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Sixty-eight college students who had endorsed DSM-IV-TR PTSD Criteria A1 and A2 on the Life Events
Checklist completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire as well as self-report measures of PTSD and depression. Explanatory
flexibility demonstrated independence from explanatory style. In addition, explanatory flexibility, but not explanatory style,
was associated with [...]
After Further Deliberation: Cognitive Vulnerability Predicts Changes in Event-Specific Negative Inferences for a Poor Midterm Grade
Abstract According to the hopelessness theory of depression (Psychological Review 96:358–372, 1989), individuals with a cognitive vulnerability are at risk for depression because they generate event-specific negative inferences
for stressful life events. Although prior studies have found an association between cognitive vulnerability and event-specific
negative inferences, conclusions from these studies have been limited by weak correlations and a failure to examine how event-specific
inferences change over time. The current stu [...]
Abstract According to the hopelessness theory of depression (Psychological Review 96:358–372, 1989), individuals with a cognitive vulnerability are at risk for depression because they generate event-specific negative inferences
for stressful life events. Although prior studies have found an association between cognitive vulnerability and event-specific
negative inferences, conclusions from these studies have been limited by weak correlations and a failure to examine how event-specific
inferences change over time. The current stu [...]
Shared Variance Among Self-Report and Behavioral Measures of Distress Intolerance
Abstract Distress intolerance may be an important individual difference variable in understanding maladaptive coping responses across
diagnostic categories. However, the measurement of distress intolerance remains inconsistent across studies and little evidence
for convergent validity among existing measures is available. This study evaluated the overlap among self-report and behavioral
measures of distress intolerance in four samples, including an unselected sample, a sample of patients with drug dependence,
and two samples of c [...]
Abstract Distress intolerance may be an important individual difference variable in understanding maladaptive coping responses across
diagnostic categories. However, the measurement of distress intolerance remains inconsistent across studies and little evidence
for convergent validity among existing measures is available. This study evaluated the overlap among self-report and behavioral
measures of distress intolerance in four samples, including an unselected sample, a sample of patients with drug dependence,
and two samples of c [...]
The Relationship Between Homework Compliance and Therapy Outcomes: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Abstract The current study was an updated meta-analysis of manuscripts since the year 2000 examining the effects of homework compliance
on treatment outcome. A total of 23 studies encompassing 2,183 subjects were included. Results indicated a significant relationship
between homework compliance and treatment outcome suggesting a small to medium effect (r = .26; 95% CI = .19–.33). Moderator analyses were conducted to determine the differential effect size of homework on treatment
outcome by target symptoms (e. [...]
Abstract The current study was an updated meta-analysis of manuscripts since the year 2000 examining the effects of homework compliance
on treatment outcome. A total of 23 studies encompassing 2,183 subjects were included. Results indicated a significant relationship
between homework compliance and treatment outcome suggesting a small to medium effect (r = .26; 95% CI = .19–.33). Moderator analyses were conducted to determine the differential effect size of homework on treatment
outcome by target symptoms (e. [...]
Social Rejection: How Best to Think About It?
Abstract College students who wrote about the abstract context of a recent social rejection (e.g., “How do you think you will view
this event in 1–2 years?”) subsequently reported lower levels of depression and rumination symptoms than those who wrote about
the abstract reasons or implications (e.g., “Why do you think this happened?”) or those given no writing instructions. A third
group who wrote about concrete aspects of their experience (e.g., “As you recall the event, what physical sensations do you
notice? [...]
Abstract College students who wrote about the abstract context of a recent social rejection (e.g., “How do you think you will view
this event in 1–2 years?”) subsequently reported lower levels of depression and rumination symptoms than those who wrote about
the abstract reasons or implications (e.g., “Why do you think this happened?”) or those given no writing instructions. A third
group who wrote about concrete aspects of their experience (e.g., “As you recall the event, what physical sensations do you
notice? [...]
Attention Bias in Adult Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract Childhood maltreatment increases risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Maladaptive patterns of attention to emotionally
salient stimuli warrant examination as possible mediators of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and PTSD. It
remains unclear whether persistent attentional biases are differentially apparent in adults who were maltreated as children
and either did or did not develop later PTSD symptomatology. The present study examined associations among attention bias,
childhood maltreatment, and [...]
Abstract Childhood maltreatment increases risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Maladaptive patterns of attention to emotionally
salient stimuli warrant examination as possible mediators of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and PTSD. It
remains unclear whether persistent attentional biases are differentially apparent in adults who were maltreated as children
and either did or did not develop later PTSD symptomatology. The present study examined associations among attention bias,
childhood maltreatment, and [...]
Adherence to Masculine Norms and Attributional Processes Predict Depressive Symptoms in Recently Unemployed Men
Abstract We investigated individual differences in adherence to masculine norms (AMN) as predictors of concurrent and prospective depressive
symptoms above and beyond negative attributional style and explanatory flexibility in a community sample of unemployed men.
Sixty-two men from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds were recruited from an unemployment center in a large industrial
city and were followed for 3 months. Adherence to the specific masculine norms of emotional control and self-reliance accounted
for vari [...]
Abstract We investigated individual differences in adherence to masculine norms (AMN) as predictors of concurrent and prospective depressive
symptoms above and beyond negative attributional style and explanatory flexibility in a community sample of unemployed men.
Sixty-two men from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds were recruited from an unemployment center in a large industrial
city and were followed for 3 months. Adherence to the specific masculine norms of emotional control and self-reliance accounted
for vari [...]
A Study of Maladaptive Schemas and Borderline Personality Disorder in Young People
Abstract Maladaptive schemas are hypothesized to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of Borderline Personality
Disorder (BPD). This study investigates which maladaptive schemas are present early in the course of BPD and whether specific
maladaptive schemas are associated with particular BPD diagnostic criteria during this phase. Thirty outpatients (aged 15–24)
diagnosed with BPD and 28 community controls completed the Young Schema Questionnaire—Short Form. Compared to controls, the
BPD group had signifi [...]
Abstract Maladaptive schemas are hypothesized to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of Borderline Personality
Disorder (BPD). This study investigates which maladaptive schemas are present early in the course of BPD and whether specific
maladaptive schemas are associated with particular BPD diagnostic criteria during this phase. Thirty outpatients (aged 15–24)
diagnosed with BPD and 28 community controls completed the Young Schema Questionnaire—Short Form. Compared to controls, the
BPD group had signifi [...]
Distorted Cognitive Processing in Youth: The Structure of Negative Cognitive Errors and Their Associations with Anxiety
Abstract The Children’s Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) is commonly used to measure four errors in young people’s thinking,
but research has failed to support the factorial validity of the measure. The primary objective of the present study was to
examine the factor structure of a refined and extended version of the CNCEQ. Revision of the CNCEQ involved the exclusion
of items rated as contaminated, and the addition of items measuring cognitive errors closely associated with anxiety (‘threat
conclusion’ and [...]
Abstract The Children’s Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) is commonly used to measure four errors in young people’s thinking,
but research has failed to support the factorial validity of the measure. The primary objective of the present study was to
examine the factor structure of a refined and extended version of the CNCEQ. Revision of the CNCEQ involved the exclusion
of items rated as contaminated, and the addition of items measuring cognitive errors closely associated with anxiety (‘threat
conclusion’ and [...]
Extreme Appraisals of Internal States in Bipolar I Disorder: A Multiple Control Group Study
Abstract Thirty individuals with Bipolar I Disorder (16 individuals had relapsed within the last 2 years; 14 individuals had remained
well over this period) were hypothesized to score higher on extreme positive and negative appraisals of internal state (HAPPI;
Hypomanic Attitudes and Positive Predictions Inventory) than three control groups: remitted unipolar depression group (n = 22), and non-clinical controls with (n = 16) or without (n = 22) a history of hypomanic episodes. In partial support o [...]
Abstract Thirty individuals with Bipolar I Disorder (16 individuals had relapsed within the last 2 years; 14 individuals had remained
well over this period) were hypothesized to score higher on extreme positive and negative appraisals of internal state (HAPPI;
Hypomanic Attitudes and Positive Predictions Inventory) than three control groups: remitted unipolar depression group (n = 22), and non-clinical controls with (n = 16) or without (n = 22) a history of hypomanic episodes. In partial support o [...] 
