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The hierarchical arrangement of internalizing cognitions

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Abstract

This investigation examined whether a hierarchical arrangement existed in internalizing cognitions in a sample of 162 outpatient adults. Results demonstrated that Watson and Clark's (1992) hierarchical model of emotional states could be extended to cognitions and clinical patients. Significant convergent and discriminant correlations among anxiety and depressive cognition measures demonstrated that specific and nonspecific relationships existed within the primarily cognition data. Hierarchical multiple-regression analyses and principal-factors analysis demonstrated that a general (nonspecific) cognitive component had more explanatory power than specific cognitive components within the data. Results support a cognition model in which a broad-band valence factor (e.g., negative affectivity) comprises specific discrete content factors (e.g., depressive cognitions, anxious cognitions). Results are discussed in light of Beck's (1976) cognitive content-specificity hypothesis.

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Jolly, J.B., Kramer, T.A. The hierarchical arrangement of internalizing cognitions. Cogn Ther Res 18, 1–14 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02359391

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