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The role of cognitions in imagery rescripting for posttraumatic nightmares
Author(s) -
Long Mary E.,
Davis Joanne L.,
Springer Justin R.,
Elhai Jon D.,
Rhudy Jamie L.,
Teng Ellen J.,
Frueh B. Christopher
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.20804
Subject(s) - psychology , cognition , cognitive psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry
Despite growing support for the use of imagery rescripting to treat posttraumatic nightmares (PTNMs), its underlying mechanisms have not been examined. This secondary data analysis piloted the proposal that modification of posttraumatic cognitions is a mechanism of change when using a manualized PTNM imagery rescripting intervention. Significant linear reductions in posttraumatic cognitions were observed from baseline through 6‐month follow‐up evaluations. Change in total negative cognitions was significantly correlated with change in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Initial amount of change in subscale scores also predicted the amount of distal change observed at the 6‐month follow‐up. These findings provide preliminary evidence that trauma‐related cognitions may improve over time as a result of imagery rescripting. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–9, 2011.