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How does cognitive therapy prevent relapse in residual depression? Evidence from a controlled trial.
J D Teasdale1, J Scott, R G Moore
1Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, United Kingdom. john.teasdale@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|August 10, 2001
Summary
Cognitive therapy (CT) prevents relapse in residual depression by altering thinking styles, not by changing beliefs. This cognitive therapy approach focuses on processing information differently to reduce recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Residual depression poses a significant risk for relapse.
- Cognitive therapy (CT) is a common treatment for depression.
- Understanding the mechanisms of relapse prevention is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive mediation of relapse prevention by cognitive therapy (CT).
- To determine if CT reduces relapse by altering cognitive content or cognitive processing styles.
- To examine the role of extreme response styles in predicting relapse and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- A trial involving 158 patients with residual depression was conducted.
- Patients completed questionnaires assessing depression-related cognition and response styles.
- Relapse rates and response to CT were analyzed in relation to cognitive measures.
Main Results:
- Agreement with questionnaire content did not mediate relapse prevention.
- Use of extreme response categories significantly predicted relapse and differential response to CT.
- CT reduced relapse by decreasing absolutist, dichotomous thinking styles.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive mediation of relapse prevention by CT is not supported by changes in cognitive content.
- CT appears to prevent relapse by modifying the style of processing depression-related information.
- Training patients to alter their thinking patterns is a key mechanism in CT for relapse prevention.