Theoretical overlap and distinction between rational emotive behavior therapy’s awfulizing and cognitive therapy’s catastrophizing
ISSN: 1361-9322
Article publication date: 8 January 2019
Issue publication date: 23 April 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The term catastrophizing was coined by Ellis (1962) and commented on by Beck (1979). Since that time, much research has been done on the topic and a recent review article postulated that catastrophizing served as a transdiagnostic mechanism across the psychiatric disorders (Gellatly and Beck, 2016). In rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), there is a greater emphasis placed on the underlying irrational beliefs than the surface-level automatic thoughts; therefore, REBT therapists tend to focus on Awfulizing as opposed to catastrophizing. While these terms sound similar, it is unclear what theoretical overlap and distinction exists between the concepts. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a review and synthesis of the extant literature, drawing from both theorists and empirical studies, to map out the similar and unique aspects of each cognition.
Findings
Awfulizing and catastrophizing are distinct concepts with differing effects on cognitive, affective and behavioral responses; these findings extend beyond theoretical models and are supported by empirical literature.
Originality/value
This review has direct implications for practitioners of the cognitive and behavioral therapies, including REBT, and those seeking an integration of the cognitive therapies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Funding: this study had no funding.
Citation
Waltman, S.H. and Palermo, A. (2019), "Theoretical overlap and distinction between rational emotive behavior therapy’s awfulizing and cognitive therapy’s catastrophizing", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 44-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-07-2018-0022
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited