The relative efficacy of two cognitive strategies—coping self-statements and paradoxical intention—for reducing anxiety were compared using an alternating treatment design for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. While cognitive restructuring appeared to be effective clinically in treating this patient, results did not suggest an advantage in effectiveness of one cognitive strategy over the other. However, although measures did not indicate a differential effectiveness between the two cognitive strategies, the patient reported that she found the coping self-statement strategy more helpful, a preference that continued at 1-yr. follow-up.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (3rd ed.) Washington, D.C.: Author, 1980.
2.
AscherL. M.Paradoxical intention. In GoldsteinA.FoaE. B. (Eds.), Handbook of behavioral interventions: A clinical guide. New York: Wiley, 1980. Pp. 266–321.
3.
BanduraA.Self-efficacy: Towards a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 1977, 84, 191–215.
4.
BarlowD. H.HayesS. C.Alternating treatment designs: One strategy for comparing the effects of two treatments in a single subject. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1979, 12, 199–210.
5.
BarlowD. H.MavissakalianM. G.Directions in the assessment and treatment of phobia: The next decade. In MavissakalianM. G.BarlowD. H. (Eds.), Phobia: Psychological and pharmacological treatment. New York: Guilford Press, 1981. Pp. 199–245.
6.
BeckA. T.LaudeR.BohnertM. B.Ideational components of anxiety neurosis. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1974, 31, 319–325.
7.
CanterA.KondoC. Y.KnottJ. R.A comparison of EMG feedback and progressive muscle relaxation training in anxiety neurosis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1975, 127, 470–477.
8.
ChamblessD. L.GoldsteinA. J.Clinical treatment of agoraphobia. In MavissakalianM.BarlowD. H. (Eds.), Phobia: Psychological and pharmacological treatment. New York: Guilford, 1981. Pp. 103–144.
9.
FannW. E.KaracanI.PokornyA. D.WilliamsR. L.Phenomenology and treatment of anxiety. New York: SP Medical & Scientific Books, 1979.
10.
FranklV. E.Paradoxical intention: A logotherapeutic technique. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1960, 14, 520–535.
11.
GirodoM.Yoga meditation and flooding in the treatment of anxiety neurosis. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1974, 5, 157–160.
12.
HutchingsD. F.DennyD. R.BasgallJ.HoustonB. F.Anxiety management and applied relaxation in reducing general anxiety. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1980, 18, 181–190.
13.
LangP. J.Fear reduction and fear behavior: Problems in treating a construct. In ShlienJ. M. (Ed.), Research in psychotherapy. Vol. 3. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1968. Pp. 90–102.
14.
LehrerP. M.Psychophysiological effects of progressive relaxation in anxiety neurotic patients and of progressive relaxation and alpha feedback in non-patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 389–404.
15.
MasksI. M.Exposure treatments: Conceptual issues and clinical applications. In AgrasW. S. (Ed.), Behavior modification: Principles and clinical applications. (2nd ed.) Boston: Little, Brown, 1978. Pp. 163–242.
16.
MarksI. M.MathewsA. M.Brief standard self-rating for phobic patients. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1979, 17, 263–267.
17.
MavissakalianM. G.BarlowD. H.Phobia: Psychological and pharmacological treatment. New York: Guilford Press, 1981.
18.
MeichenbaumD.Cognitive-behavior modification: An integrative approach. New York: Plenum, 1977.
19.
RachmanS. J.HodgsonR. J.Obsessions and compulsions. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1980.
20.
WatsonJ. P.MarksI. M.Relevant and irrelevant fear in flooding—a crossover study of phobic patients. Behavior Therapy, 1971, 2, 275–293.
21.
WoodwardR.JonesR. B.Cognitive restructuring treatment: A controlled trial with anxious patients. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1980, 18, 401–407.
