Reappraising beliefs about losing control: An experimental investigation

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 obsessivecompulsive 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, eta p2 = .18) and about losing control in the future (F(1, 50) = 7.82, p = .007, eta p2 = .14) but not anxiety F(1, 50) = .81, p = .37, eta 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.