Worry and defensive pessimism: A test of two intervention strategies

This study assessed the effectiveness of counterfactual reasoning and relax ation training in reducing worry and defensive pessimism. Thirty-three part icipants classified as both worriers and defensive pessimists were allocate d to either counterfactual reasoning, relaxation training, or control group s. Participants in counterfactual reasoning and relaxation training groups attended four weekly training sessions. Significant reductions in worry bet ween Dre- and post-test were evident for scores on the Worry Domains Questi onnaire, as well as a reduced tendency to engage in the kind of prototypica l thinking characteristic of defensive pessimists as assessed by the Defens ive Pessimism I Strategic Optimism Strategy Prototypes Questionnaire. Reduc tions were also evident in the percentage of the day spent worrying, the in trusiveness of worries, and ratings of the likelihood of worry events occur ring.