Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy / Volume 23 / Issue 03 / July 1995, pp 301-320
- Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1995
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1352465800015897 (About DOI), Published online: 16 June 2009
Research Article
Meta-Cognition and Worry: A Cognitive Model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Adrian Wellsa1
a1 University of Oxford
Abstract
A meta-cognitive classification and analysis of factors contributing to the development of problematic worry is presented. Dimensions of meta-beliefs, meta-worry, cognitive consciousness, and strategies can be distinguished. A cognitive model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is advanced based on this framework in which GAD results from an interaction between the motivated use of worry as a coping strategy, negative appraisal of worry, and worry control attempts. These factors result from combinations of dysfunctional meta-beliefs and contribute to subjectively diminished cognitive control. The model presents new implications for a cognitive therapy of GAD, and these are illustrated with a single case treatment study.
Footnotes
Reprint requests to Dr Adrian Wells, University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK.
