Reappraising beliefs about losing control: An experimental investigation

Abstract

Background and objectives

Beliefs about losing control over one's thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and/or bodily functions have been shown to cause obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The cognitive model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests that catastrophic misappraisals of intrusions will lessen if underlying maladaptive beliefs are effectively reduced. The primary aim of this study was to experimentally investigate whether preexisting negative appraisals about losing control could be reduced by reappraising a previous perceived loss of control.

Methods

A sample of (n = 52) undergraduate participants underwent either a brief cognitive intervention or a control memory task. Negative appraisals about losing control and anxiety were measured before and after the manipulation.

Results

In comparison to participants in the control condition, participants in the experimental condition reported a significantly greater reduction in negative appraisals about having lost control (F(1, 50) = 10.79, p = .002, η_p² = .18) and about losing control in the future (F(1, 50) = 7.82, p = .007, η_p² = .14) but not anxiety F(1, 50) = .81, p = .37, η_p² = .02). Limitations: The absence of an impact on anxiety may be attributed to an underpowered sample size or the lack of a more robust intervention.

Conclusions

Results suggest that pre-existing beliefs about losing control can be reduced via a brief cognitive reappraisal-based intervention. Findings are discussed with respect to clinical and phenomenological implications.