ABSTRACT
So far we have discussed generic features of the metacognitive model and universal aspects of treatment. However, disorderspeci®c models have been developed and evaluated that are based on the generic S-REF model. The disorder-speci®c models are aimed at capturing the content of metacognitions and the nature of processes that are more speci®c to a particular disorder (see Wells, 2000, 2009). For instance, in generalized anxiety disorder metacognitive beliefs concern positive beliefs about the usefulness of worry whilst negative beliefs concern the uncontrollability and danger of worrying. Both types of belief exist but it is the negative metacognitive beliefs that are the more proximal cause of GAD. In obsessivecompulsive disorder, the metacognitions concern the themes of thought±event fusion (TEF), thought±action fusion (TAF) and thought±object fusion (TOF). In TEF, thoughts are believed to have the power to increase the probability of events (e.g. ``Thinking about accidents will make them happen''). In TAF, thoughts are believed to increase the likelihood of committing unwanted acts (e.g. ``Thinking of stabbing someone will make me do it''). In TOF, the belief is that thoughts and feelings can be transferred into objects or contaminate or spoil them in some way (e.g. ``If I have impure thoughts whilst reading, my thoughts will pass into my books and I won't be able to study in the future'').
