The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility: A randomized controlled trial

Martijn W van Teffelen; Marisol J Voncken; Frenk Peeters; Eline D. Mollema; Jill Lobbestael

doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101677

The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility: A randomized controlled trial

Martijn W van Teffelen^*, Marisol J Voncken, Frenk Peeters, Eline D. Mollema, Jill Lobbestael

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its efficacy.

METHODS: A high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) (n = 34), traditional CR (n = 32) or an active control session (AC) (n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up.

RESULTS: Results showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies.

LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted using a small, non-treatment seeking sample.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its' efficacy.

Original language	English
Article number	101677
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
Volume	73
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101677
Publication status	Published - Dec 2021

Keywords

Mental imagery
Cognitive restructuring
Hostility
Randomized controlled trial
POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER
BEHAVIORAL GROUP-THERAPY
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
BETTS QUESTIONNAIRE
AGGRESSION
MEMORIES
ANGER
VALIDATION
ADULTS
FORMS

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Cite this

@article{30cc61cb15a44addb33159c958ffb5ed,

title = "The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility: A randomized controlled trial",

abstract = "BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its efficacy.METHODS: A high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) (n = 34), traditional CR (n = 32) or an active control session (AC) (n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up.RESULTS: Results showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies.LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted using a small, non-treatment seeking sample.CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its' efficacy.",

keywords = "Mental imagery, Cognitive restructuring, Hostility, Randomized controlled trial, POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER, BEHAVIORAL GROUP-THERAPY, SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER, BETTS QUESTIONNAIRE, AGGRESSION, MEMORIES, ANGER, VALIDATION, ADULTS, FORMS",

author = "{van Teffelen}, {Martijn W} and Voncken, {Marisol J} and Frenk Peeters and Mollema, {Eline D.} and Jill Lobbestael",

year = "2021",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101677",

language = "English",

volume = "73",

journal = "Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry",

issn = "0005-7916",

publisher = "Elsevier",

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The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility: A randomized controlled trial. / van Teffelen, Martijn W; Voncken, Marisol J ; Peeters, Frenk et al.
In: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Vol. 73, 101677, 12.2021.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility

T2 - A randomized controlled trial

AU - van Teffelen, Martijn W

AU - Voncken, Marisol J

AU - Peeters, Frenk

AU - Mollema, Eline D.

AU - Lobbestael, Jill

PY - 2021/12

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N2 - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its efficacy.METHODS: A high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) (n = 34), traditional CR (n = 32) or an active control session (AC) (n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up.RESULTS: Results showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies.LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted using a small, non-treatment seeking sample.CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its' efficacy.

AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its efficacy.METHODS: A high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) (n = 34), traditional CR (n = 32) or an active control session (AC) (n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up.RESULTS: Results showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies.LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted using a small, non-treatment seeking sample.CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its' efficacy.

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KW - MEMORIES

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KW - VALIDATION

KW - ADULTS

KW - FORMS

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DO - 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101677

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