A component analysis of cognitive restructuring

The present study was conducted to assess the contribution of the following components of cognitive restructuring: (a) extinction, (b) insight into negative self-statements, (c) knowledge and rehearsal of coping statements, and (d) a combination of insight into negative self-statements followed by learning and rehearsal of coping statements. Sixty communication-apprehensive subjects were divided among the four treatment groups and a waiting list control group. A low-anxious group also was included to test the validity of the dependent measures. Each treatment group met for five 1-hour weekly sessions. On both self-report and behavioral measures, the coping statement group improved more than the negative self-statement or extinction groups. The combination of the components produced the largest improvement at posttreatment and at a 6-week follow-up. These results suggest that while all of the components produce some improvement, the coping statement component is of primary importance to cognitive restructuring. Implications and further research directions are discussed.