Cognitive Mediation of Panic Severity: The Role of Catastrophic Misinterpretation of Bodily Sensations and Panic Self-Efficacy.

Abstract

This study examined the differential role of negative and positive cognitions in mediating treatment outcome in CBT for Panic Disorder through comparison of a Standard CBT (n = 36) versus a Waitlist Condition (n = 24). Regression analyses indicated that, relative to the Waitlist Condition, patients in the Standard CBT condition reported significantly greater shifts both towards higher panic self-efficacy and lower catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations during treatment, as well as a significantly lower level of panic severity at posttreatment. Changes in catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations and panic self-efficacy contributed significantly more to prediction of panic severity than did assignment to either Standard CBT or a Waitlist Condition. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of including both negative and positive cognitions in demonstrating cognitive mediation.