Articles in the Cognitive Therapy and Research Category
Disgust Propensity as a Predictor of Intrusive Cognitions Following a Distressing Film
Abstract Although extant research examining predictors of development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have focused primarily
on fear and anxiety, recent research suggests that a range of different emotional reactions may occur in response to traumatic
events. For example, specific aspects of traumatic exposure frequently include either experiencing or witnessing events that
may elicit disgust, including injury, death, or sexual assault (e.g., Dalgleish and Power in Behav Res Ther Spec Issue Festschrift
Spec Issue John Tea [...]
Abstract Although extant research examining predictors of development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have focused primarily
on fear and anxiety, recent research suggests that a range of different emotional reactions may occur in response to traumatic
events. For example, specific aspects of traumatic exposure frequently include either experiencing or witnessing events that
may elicit disgust, including injury, death, or sexual assault (e.g., Dalgleish and Power in Behav Res Ther Spec Issue Festschrift
Spec Issue John Tea [...]
Psychometric Properties of a Behavioral Test of Contamination-Related Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms
Abstract In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of a Behavioral Approach Task (BAT) for contamination-related obsessive–compulsive
symptoms. We adapted the BAT from Cougle et al’s. (2007) design, which comprised three tests corresponding to three different contamination-related stimuli and a hierarchy of six
steps of approach within each test. We obtained anxiety and disgust ratings at each BAT step. Participants with low or high
contamination fear completed self-report measures of obsessive–compulsive sympt [...]
Abstract In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of a Behavioral Approach Task (BAT) for contamination-related obsessive–compulsive
symptoms. We adapted the BAT from Cougle et al’s. (2007) design, which comprised three tests corresponding to three different contamination-related stimuli and a hierarchy of six
steps of approach within each test. We obtained anxiety and disgust ratings at each BAT step. Participants with low or high
contamination fear completed self-report measures of obsessive–compulsive sympt [...]
Is Timing Everything? Sequential Effects of Rumination and Distraction on Interpersonal Problem Solving
Abstract Rumination has been closely linked to risk for depression, whereas distraction has been hypothesized to decrease sad mood
and to promote effective problem solving. This study investigates the hypothesis that it is not the use of specific strategies
but rather their timing that is critical. Following a negative mood induction, participants were assigned to either immediately
ruminate or distract followed by a second set of instructions to either ruminate or distract. Participants who initially engaged
in distraction, comp [...]
Abstract Rumination has been closely linked to risk for depression, whereas distraction has been hypothesized to decrease sad mood
and to promote effective problem solving. This study investigates the hypothesis that it is not the use of specific strategies
but rather their timing that is critical. Following a negative mood induction, participants were assigned to either immediately
ruminate or distract followed by a second set of instructions to either ruminate or distract. Participants who initially engaged
in distraction, comp [...]
Worry, Anhedonic Depression, and Emotional Styles
Abstract This study examined how elevated levels of worry and anhedonic depression are associated with affect intensity, attention
to emotion, and clarity of emotion. University students (N = 923) completed the Affect Intensity Measure, the Trait Meta Mood Scale, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and the anhedonic
depression subscale from the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire. Control individuals with worry and depression scores
below the median (n = 158) were compared with three distress groups—elevate [...]
Abstract This study examined how elevated levels of worry and anhedonic depression are associated with affect intensity, attention
to emotion, and clarity of emotion. University students (N = 923) completed the Affect Intensity Measure, the Trait Meta Mood Scale, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and the anhedonic
depression subscale from the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire. Control individuals with worry and depression scores
below the median (n = 158) were compared with three distress groups—elevate [...]
Therapeutic Alliance in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia: Association with History of Sexual Assault
Abstract History of sexual assault in schizophrenia has been suggested as a risk factor for psychosis and a graver course of illness.
One possibility is that a history of this type of trauma affects responses to treatment by forming a barrier to a therapeutic
alliance. To explore this possibility, we compared monthly ratings of therapeutic alliance for clients with schizophrenia
with (n = 9) and without (n = 31) a history of sexual assault across 6 months of cognitive behavior therapy. Ratings were collect [...]
Abstract History of sexual assault in schizophrenia has been suggested as a risk factor for psychosis and a graver course of illness.
One possibility is that a history of this type of trauma affects responses to treatment by forming a barrier to a therapeutic
alliance. To explore this possibility, we compared monthly ratings of therapeutic alliance for clients with schizophrenia
with (n = 9) and without (n = 31) a history of sexual assault across 6 months of cognitive behavior therapy. Ratings were collect [...]
Mastery Beliefs and Intraindividual Variability of Anxiety
Abstract Individual differences in perceived ability to exercise control have long been considered to be an important predictor of
who develops mental illness, particularly anxiety disorders. Although numerous studies have demonstrated a link between mastery
and anxiety, few studies have used longitudinal methods that allow for more sophisticated analyses and stronger conclusions.
The present study examines how mastery beliefs determine vulnerability to anxiety by examining the longitudinal course of
anxiety within a 13-day ecolo [...]
Abstract Individual differences in perceived ability to exercise control have long been considered to be an important predictor of
who develops mental illness, particularly anxiety disorders. Although numerous studies have demonstrated a link between mastery
and anxiety, few studies have used longitudinal methods that allow for more sophisticated analyses and stronger conclusions.
The present study examines how mastery beliefs determine vulnerability to anxiety by examining the longitudinal course of
anxiety within a 13-day ecolo [...]
Childhood Teasing and Adult Implicit Cognitive Biases
Abstract There is growing evidence for the role of negative implicit cognitions in eating disorders as well as other forms of psychopathology.
What is less well understood are the potential developmental correlates of these biases and whether there is any preferential
relation between the type of childhood experiences and implicit cognitions for one disorder versus another. This study examined
the relations of implicit eating-relevant and depression-relevant cognitions with adult women’s reports of childhood teasing.
As hypothe [...]
Abstract There is growing evidence for the role of negative implicit cognitions in eating disorders as well as other forms of psychopathology.
What is less well understood are the potential developmental correlates of these biases and whether there is any preferential
relation between the type of childhood experiences and implicit cognitions for one disorder versus another. This study examined
the relations of implicit eating-relevant and depression-relevant cognitions with adult women’s reports of childhood teasing.
As hypothe [...]
Bridging the Gaps: An Attempt to Integrate Three Major Cognitive Depression Models
Abstract There are obvious similarities between the cognitive constructs of Beck’s cognitive theory, the hopelessness model, and the
response styles theory. No single comprehensive model has yet integrated the core cognitive concepts of these theories, however.
In order to develop such an integrative cognitive model, we conducted two independent studies with 588 and 606 participants,
respectively, from a university population. Both studies support the idea that all cognitive constructs of the three models
are distinct from each [...]
Abstract There are obvious similarities between the cognitive constructs of Beck’s cognitive theory, the hopelessness model, and the
response styles theory. No single comprehensive model has yet integrated the core cognitive concepts of these theories, however.
In order to develop such an integrative cognitive model, we conducted two independent studies with 588 and 606 participants,
respectively, from a university population. Both studies support the idea that all cognitive constructs of the three models
are distinct from each [...]
Heart Rate Variability Predicts Cognitive Reactivity to a Sad Mood Provocation
Abstract Cognitive reactivity—the tendency to think negatively in response to a sad mood—is an important predictor of depression vulnerability.
The current study examined whether heart rate variability, a physiological index of emotion regulation capacity, predicts
individual differences in cognitive reactivity. Heart rate variability in the high frequency spectrum was assessed during
a 5-min rest period among a sample of healthy, female adults (N = 67). Participants then completed an assessment of dysfunctional atti [...]
Abstract Cognitive reactivity—the tendency to think negatively in response to a sad mood—is an important predictor of depression vulnerability.
The current study examined whether heart rate variability, a physiological index of emotion regulation capacity, predicts
individual differences in cognitive reactivity. Heart rate variability in the high frequency spectrum was assessed during
a 5-min rest period among a sample of healthy, female adults (N = 67). Participants then completed an assessment of dysfunctional atti [...]
Attention and Memory Biases in Social Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Comorbid Depression
Abstract Cognitive biases play an important role in the onset and maintenance of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Few studies, however,
have examined the role of comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in the processing of emotional material. In addition, little
is known about the relation among different cognitive biases. In the current study, 73 participants (54.79% female) completed
an emotion face dot-probe task followed by a recognition memory test. Compared to participants with SAD, participants with
comorbid SAD and MDD ori [...]
Abstract Cognitive biases play an important role in the onset and maintenance of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Few studies, however,
have examined the role of comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in the processing of emotional material. In addition, little
is known about the relation among different cognitive biases. In the current study, 73 participants (54.79% female) completed
an emotion face dot-probe task followed by a recognition memory test. Compared to participants with SAD, participants with
comorbid SAD and MDD ori [...] 
