An examination of core beliefs in generalized anxiety disorder.

In 30 seconds

This secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial examined self-related core beliefs in 77 people with generalised anxiety disorder receiving videoconferencing-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Core beliefs were commonly endorsed, but were not significantly associated with baseline symptom severity. Although CBT did not explicitly target these beliefs, their severity decreased from pretreatment to post-treatment (Cohen’s d = .50) and follow-up (Cohen’s d = .51; both p < .001). Changes in core beliefs were also associated with GAD symptom severity at post-treatment and follow-up.

Key findings

• Self-related core beliefs were commonly endorsed, but were not significantly related to baseline GAD symptom severity.
• Core-belief severity decreased from pretreatment to post-treatment (p < .001; Cohen’s d = .50) and follow-up (p < .001; Cohen’s d = .51).
• Changes in core beliefs were significantly related to GAD symptom severity at post-treatment and follow-up.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that self-related core beliefs may change during CBT for GAD even when they are not explicitly targeted, and that their changes track symptom severity after treatment. This adds evidence about a possible psychological process accompanying improvement, while the lack of a baseline association cautions against assuming these beliefs reflect initial symptom burden.

What to keep in mind

This was a secondary analysis of a trial, so the findings do not establish that changes in core beliefs caused symptom reductions.