Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 34, No. 6, 2015, pp. 476-494 476 © 2015 Guilford Publications, Inc. Address correspondence to Adriel Boals, Dept. of Psychology, University of North Texas, Box 311280, Denton, TX 76203; E-mail: adriel@unt.edu GAINING INSIGHT BOALS ET AL. GAINING INSIGHT INTO INSIGHT: DO INSIGHTS INTO STRESSFUL LIFE EXPERIENCES HAVE TO BE CORRECT TO BE BENEFICIAL? ADRIEL BOALS AND LISA M. VALENTINE University of North Texas DENISE R. BEIKE University of Arkansas Insight therapy is based on the idea that the newfound insight clients gain into their problems will lead to reductions in distress and improvements in well-being. But research has failed to address whether the veracity of the insight is critical. To address this question, we assessed both subjective and objective insight into a negative life event. We examined three different operationalizations of insight— participant-rated insight (subjective), clinician-rated insight (objective), and use of insight words when describing the event (objective) in two studies. The frst study examined nominated stressful events and the second study examined participants who had experienced a recent romantic breakup. In both studies participant- rated insight was associated with lowers levels of distress reactions, depression, and health symptoms and higher levels of psychological closure and satisfaction with life. In Study 2, higher participant-rated insight about a previous roman- tic breakup was associated with greater likelihood of being in a new romantic relationship. In stark contrast, clinician-rated insight and use of insight words evidenced very few signifcant relationships with these outcome measures. How insight might operate as an effective coping mechanism is discussed. When people experience unpleasant, stressful, or traumatic events, they generally go through a period of negative emotions and intru-