Comparing Cognitive Coping Components -An Investigation of Treatment Outcomes and Processes

Both traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapyare established as efficacious treatment packages for adult depression. Major cognitive components of these treatments—cognitive restructuring and defusion— produce similar outcomes, despite working through different theoretical mechanisms of change. While the defusion half of openness to experience has been studied extensively, willingness has not yet received the same empirical attention. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in treatment outcomes and processes between the cognitive components of CBT and ACT. Individuals with moderate to severe levels of depression symptoms took part in a week-long, online intervention meant to help them cope with a self-relevant, unwanted/unpleasant thought. Participants were randomly assigned to practice either cognitive restructuring or defusion & willingness using daily thought logs. Within-and-between subjects effects were examined and revealed that both interventions provided benefit to participants through shared processes. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed along with future directions.