An examination of core beliefs in generalized anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by uncontrollable worries. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for GAD; however, manualised treatments rarely include interventions to target core beliefs. This study aimed to (1) explore the core beliefs about the self that are endorsed by individuals with GAD, (2) determine whether these beliefs are related to the severity of GAD symptoms, (3) examine if core beliefs about the self shift in response to CBT for GAD and (4) determine whether changes in core beliefs about the self are related to reductions in symptom severity.

A secondary data analysis of a randomised controlled trial with a repeated measures design examining the efficacy of videoconferencing-delivered CBT for individuals with GAD. Seventy-seven participants were included in the study (M_{age =} 37.14; 84.4% female).

The results indicated that core beliefs about the self were commonly endorsed in GAD; however, there was no significant relationship between core beliefs about the self and baseline GAD symptom severity. There was a significant reduction in the severity of core beliefs about the self from pre-treatment to post-treatment (p < .001; Cohen's d = .50) and pre-treatment to follow-up (p < .001; Cohen's d = .51) despite the treatment not explicitly targeting these beliefs. There was also a significant relationship between changes in core beliefs about the self and GAD symptom severity at post-treatment and follow-up.

These findings provide insight into the role of core beliefs about the self in the treatment of GAD.