The Relationship between Cognitions and Anxiety

Abstract

Six agoraphobics were assessed repeatedly in regard to their cognitions and anxiety level while exposed to a shopping mall. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated for each subject for: (1) percentage of negative or maladaptive thoughts and self-reported anxiety level during exposure, and (2) percentage of positive or adaptive thoughts and anxiety. In the majority of cases, results showed a significant, positive relationship between negative thinking and anxiety, with larger percentages of maladaptive thoughts corresponding with higher ratings of anxiety. In addition, there was some evidence of an inverse relationship between positive thinking and anxiety, with larger percentages of these thoughts corresponding with lower ratings of anxiety.