Martijn van Teffelen

ABSTRACT Cognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its effectivity. A high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) ( n = 34), traditional CR ( n = 32) or an active control session (AC) ( n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at 1-week follow-up. Results showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies. The most important limitations are that this work was conducted in a non-treatment seeking sample and that the sample was rather small. In conclusion, fndings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its’ efficacy.