Do beliefs about the utility of worry facilitate worry?

▶ Being exposed to a worrisome message (novel or familiar) is followed by an affective change. ▶ But listening to a previous persuasive message about the positive consequences of worrying was not sufficient to generate more affective change and worry in comparison with the control group. ▶ Positive beliefs about worrying, as assessed by the COWS, do not predict the affective change experienced in the worrisome situation. ▶ These results could indicate that positive beliefs about worry do not play any role in triggering or maintaining worry contrary to previous theorizing.