Purposefully biased interactions: Reducing heterosocial anxiety through self-perception theory.

A treatment for heterosocial anxiety based on D. J. Bem's (1972) self-perception theory, involving use of prearranged, purposefully biased interactions with members of the opposite sex, was compared with an imaginal therapy technique and a no-treatment control group. In addition, Ss in treatment groups received either a positive or negative expectancy for treatment outcome. Instruments included the Situation Questionnaire and the State scale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results for 80 heterosocially anxious college males indicate that although the imaginal technique had a highly significant effect on self-report measures when Ss had a positive expectancy, little happened if they had a negative expectancy. Moreover, the imaginal technique had little or no effect on behavioral and physiological measures with either expectancy condition. The biased interaction technique, unaffected by expectancy, caused significant changes in all 3 modes of responding and for both expectancy conditions. Results suggest that the biased interaction treatment, whereby the focus was on the observation of one's own successful performance in an area in which difficulty is normally encountered, was more effective for reducing anxiety than an imaginal technique in which the focus was on a client's internal states. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fear-reduction research and clinical phobias.

Reviews research concerning the behavioral treatment of clinical phobias, and compares findings with related analog studies of Ss with mild fears. Despite the frequently expressed need for caution in generalizing from one population or type of fear to another, earlier reviews based largely on analog studies have tended to ignore this problem. Conclusions regarding the effects of nonspecific treatment variables, anxiety levels during treatment, imaginal or real exposure to phobic situations, and motivational variables in changing phobic behavior are qualified by reference to research with clinical populations. These findings suggest that analog studies may give misleading impressions of the relative importance of different components operating in clinical treatments. (66 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exposure and anxiety management in the treatment of social phobia.

Divided 45 18–65 yr old social phobia outpatients into 3 groups of 15 Ss each: Group 1 received exposure with anxiety management. Group 2 received exposure with a nonspecific "filler" treatment instead of anxiety management. Group 3 served as a waiting-list control. Results show that Groups 1 and 2 improved more than Group 3 and the improvement was maintained for 6 mo. At the end of treatment, Group 1 had lower scores than Group 2 on 2 cognitive measures of social anxiety. Six months later, Group 1 had lower scores on 4 additional measures. No S in Group 1 requested additional treatment within a year, while 40% of Group 2 did so. It is suggested that anxiety management increases the effect of exposure treatment because it helps Ss adapt to unpredictable situations, relaxation and distraction are useful techniques, and emphasis on self-help and rationale are important. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interactive effects of test anxiety, test difficulty, and feedback.

Examined interactive effects of item difficulty, test anxiety, and failure feedback in a study of 67 undergraduates (mean age 20.1 yrs) using multiple-choice verbal aptitude items. Ss' levels of test anxiety were measured on the Achievement Anxiety Test and the Test Anxiety Scale. Ss were then randomly assigned to receive either a hard or an easy test either with or without immediate feedback. Results indicate that ability estimates can be affected in complex ways by the examinee's anxiety level. The least anxious Ss in the sample did best on a very hard test, and moderately anxious Ss did best on an easy test, whereas the most anxious Ss did poorly on both tests. In addition, it was found that immediate feedback improved performance, especially for Ss given an easy test. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reduction of test anxiety through cognitive restructuring.

This collaborative clinical outcome study with 36 18–49 yr old Ss compared 2 procedures for reducing test anxiety with a waiting list control. In the first, systematic rational restructuring, the participants were trained to realistically reevaluate imaginally presented test-taking situations. In the second, a prolonged exposure condition, Ss were presented the same hierarchy items but with no instructions for coping cognitively. Ss were administered the following measures of test anxiety; the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness, Achievement Anxiety Test, Test Anxiety Questionnaire, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, and the Trait Scale of the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results show greater anxiety reduction in the systematic rational restructuring condition, followed by the prolonged exposure group, with no changes for the control. Only those in the rational restructuring condition reported a significant decrease in subjective anxiety when placed in an analog test-taking situation. Ss in the restructuring condition also reported greater generalized anxiety reduction in social-evaluative situations. Within the broader context of cognitive behavior therapy, these results indicate that the cognitive reappraisal of anxiety-provoking situations can offer an effective treatment procedure for the reduction of anxiety. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of three play conditions on separation anxiety in young children.

Evaluated the effects of separation-relevant play on separation anxiety in young children to test the hypothesis that play can reduce anxiety. Ss were 32 males and 32 females, aged 2–6 yrs, rated by their teachers as anxious about separation from parents. Ss were assigned to 1 of 3 thematic-play conditions (free play, directed play, and modeling) and a 4th nonthematic-play (control) condition, so that pretreatment anxiety levels were approximately equivalent across conditions. All 3 experimental conditions were associated with lower posttest anxiety scores on a speech-disturbance measure but not on teacher ratings. Higher quality of play (mastery) was associated with lower posttest anxiety scores. Implications are discussed for play therapy, separation-anxiety treatments, and the use of speech disturbance as a measure of anxiety in young children. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Imaginal flooding in the treatment of a posttraumatic stress disorder.

A 36-yr-old Vietnam veteran was treated for the anxiety-related symptoms of a posttraumatic stress disorder during a 22-day inpatient hospitalization. Primary treatment was the exposure technique of imaginal flooding using the intrusive thoughts (nightmares and flashbacks) associated with the traumatic events. Self-monitored data, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and physiological responding during scene presentation provided evidence for treatment efficacy. 12-mo follow-up indicated improved adjustment as supported by employment status, residential stability, emotional involvement, and self-report of anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of maximally different cognitive strategies and expectancy in attenuation of reported pain.

Ninety-six Ss rated pain during baseline and posttreatment exposures to cold pressor pain. Between trials, Ss in four groups were trained to use one of four cognitive coping strategies involving (a) imaginal reinterpretation, (b) imaginal distraction, (c) nonimaginal reinterpretation, or (d) nonimaginal distraction. Two additional groups were given: (e) an expectation for analgesia but no coping strategy and (f) no treatment. The four coping strategies produced equivalent attenuation of pain ratings and equivalent expectancies for analgesia. Expectancy control Ss expected analgesia, but reported no significant pain reductions. No treatment control Ss neither expected nor achieved any significant pain reductions. Among cognitive strategy groups, the Ss' absorption added significantly to the variance in pain reduction above and beyond the effects of expectancy. Theoretical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating behavior therapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of agoraphobia.

Investigated the effects of treatment that combined behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, family systems therapy, logotherapy, and Gestalt therapy in the treatment of agoraphobia. Ss were 30 females and 5 males (mean age 35.18 yrs) who had been agoraphobic for a median of 7.05 yrs and who had applied for a 2-wk intensive treatment program (ITP). Ss were administered a battery of questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Ss either began treatment on a weekly basis while waiting for the ITP to begin (treatment Ss) or were placed on a waiting list (control Ss). Significant changes on self-reported avoidance behavior, panic attacks, social anxiety, depression, chronic anxiety, assertiveness, and fear of fear were observed in the treatment Ss up to 6 mo after beginning the ITP. No change had occurred on these measures during the same time in the controls. Results indicate that psychosocial treatment without drugs is effective for the majority of clients seeking treatment for agoraphobia. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-perception theory and unobtrusively biased interactions: A treatment for heterosocial anxiety.

Assessed the effectiveness of a technique predicated on D. J. Bem's (1972) self-perception theory for reducing heterosocial anxiety in college males. 26 heterosocially anxious (as measured by the Situation Questionnaire), infrequently dating undergraduate males were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a waiting-list-control group. "Real life," pleasant, prearranged social interactions with females produced a highly significant change in self-perceptions concerning anxiety as measured by the Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaire, the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, the Security–Insecurity Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. When Ss later interacted with an attractive female coed in a separate setting, state anxiety was less, and behavioral performance improved on 2 conversational skills. When measured after a 6-mo interval, the reduction in perceived heterosocial anxiety maintained itself and resulted in Ss having a significantly greater number of dates. Results are discussed in terms of self-efficacy and self-regulation and control theory. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting math anxiety and course performance in college women and men.

Examined the ability of the construct of mathematics anxiety (MAX) to predict the grades of 112 female and 72 male undergraduates in an introductory algebra course. Ss completed the Global Anxiety Scale, a MAX rating scale, and a measure of achieving tendency. Results show that MAX had little to do with course grades after controlling for mathematical aptitude, as measured by the Scholastic Aptitude Test. In addition, MAX was more strongly related to general anxiety in males than in females. This finding suggests that females seeking treatment for MAX are likely to profit from treatment that focuses specifically on mathematics situations. The higher level of MAX among females could not be explained on the basis of differential course-taking, since males had a similar mathematics background. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison between one-session psychological treatment and benzodiazepine in dental phobia.

To compare the effects of a single session of psychological treatment and acute administration of benzodiazepine, 50 dental phobic patients were allocated either to psychological treatment, benzodiazepine, or no treatment for anxiety. Psychological treatment consisted of stress management training and imaginal exposure to phobic stimuli with homework assignments. Benzodiazepine was administered 30 min before dental treatment. Both treatment conditions led to less anxiety during dental surgery than did the control condition. Phobic patients in the benzodiazepine condition showed a relapse after dental treatment, whereas those in the psychological treatment condition showed further improvement until the follow-up 2 months later. Of the latter group, 70% continued dental treatment; only 20% and 10% returned in the benzodiazepine and control conditions, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety and cancer treatment: Response to stressful radiotherapy.

Conducted a study with 19 White female cancer patients (aged 23–78 yrs) to document the magnitude of anxiety Ss experienced in response to one particularly stressful form of radiation treatment. In addition, the change in anxiety responses with repeated exposures and individual differences among Ss was explored. As the time for internal radiotherapy treatment neared, subjective and physiologic indicants of anxiety and distress among the Ss significantly increased. By 24 hrs posttreatment, anxiety for all Ss remained elevated. A subset of the Ss who required 2 applications of radiotherapy continued to respond negatively during the 2nd treatment. Data on individual differences in anxiety responses suggest that those with low levels of pretreatment anxiety experienced considerable disruption posttreatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Residential mobility as an adaptive experience.

Derivations from ecological theory predict that high residential mobility will contribute to the development of cognitive complexity, flexibility, and autonomy by providing diversity of experience. High residentially mobile students were expected to adapt better to the stress, novelty, and complexity of the college environment. Situational and chronic anxiety scales, classroom preference questionnaire, and the Omnibus Personality Inventory were administered to 26 male and 43 female undergraduates classified for residential and social mobility. High residentially mobile Ss reported less anxiety than low mobile Ss both in acute situations and on chronic measures. Residential mobility did not effect classroom preferences, but social mobility did. Results on the personality measures are consistent with the theoretical expectations for males, but not for females. High residentially mobile males differed from low residentially mobile males in being more intellectually oriented, placing more value on autonomy and independence, and in being more adaptive. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Additive Benefit of Hypnosis and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Treating Acute Stress Disorder.

This research represents the first controlled treatment study of hypnosis and cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) of acute stress disorder (ASD). Civilian trauma survivors (N = 87) who met criteria for ASD were randomly allocated to 6 sessions of CBT, CBT combined with hypnosis (CBT-hypnosis), or supportive counseling (SC). CBT comprised exposure, cognitive restructuring, and anxiety management. CBT-hypnosis comprised the CBT components with each imaginal exposure preceded by a hypnotic induction and suggestions to engage fully in the exposure. In terms of treatment completers (n = 69), fewer participants in the CBT and CBT-hypnosis groups met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up than those in the SC group. CBT-hypnosis resulted in greater reduction in reexperiencing symptoms at posttreatment than CBT. These findings suggest that hypnosis may have use in facilitating the treatment effects of CBT for posttraumatic stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of anxiety through systematic desensitization in therapy groups.

The effects of short-term treatment by modified systematic desensitization in time-limited intensive therapy groups were evaluated in a matched groups design. 10 chronically anxious college males, treated by the group method, were evaluated on the basis of personality and anxiety scales against an "own-control" period, and 4 equated groups of 10 Ss each. 1 group served as an untreated control for evaluating extra-treatment effects on college grade-point average, as an objective, public criterion. Ss in the remaining groups received 1 of the following individual treatments: systematic desensitization, insight-oriented psychotherapy, or an attention-placebo treatment. The group method produced several significant improvements, suggesting that combined group desensitization offers an efficient and effective treatment for social-evaluative anxiety. (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relaxation and cognitive treatments of anger.

60 undergraduates, selected on the basis of scores on the Trait form of the State-Trait Anger Scale, participated in cognitive and relaxation coping skill interventions for anger reduction or in a no-treatment control. Ss also completed measures such as the State form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. By 4-wk follow-up, cognitive and relaxation groups reported significantly less general anger, physical symptoms of anger, daily ratings of anger, and less state anger and tendency to cope with verbal antagonism in response to imaginal provocations than did controls and did not differ from one another. Constructive coping in the imaginal provocations and trait anxiety showed the cognitive condition improved relative to the control, whereas the relaxation group did not differ significantly from other groups. No between-groups differences were found for personal anger situations, depression, or heart rate and coping via physical antagonism in response to provocations. One-year follow-up revealed maintenance of patterns for general anger and anxiety reduction. Results are discussed in terms of the value of applied relaxation for anger reduction. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral control over aversive events: Does control that requires effort reduce anxiety and physiological arousal?

Investigated whether the amount of effort required to control an aversive event influenced the amount of anxiety and physiological arousal associated with the aversive event. 89 male undergraduates participated in a 3 (unavoidable threat, avoidable threat, no threat)?×?2 (high-effort task performance, low-effort task performance)?×?2 (anticipation period, performance period) factorial experiment. Results indicate that (a) the aversive event (threat of electrical shock) increased Ss' anxiety and physiological arousal; (b) exercising control was effective for decreasing Ss' anxiety to the nonthreat level, but only when low effort was required; (c) the prospect of control decreased Ss' physiological arousal to the no-threat level while the Ss were waiting to exercise control over the aversive event; and (d) while actually exercising the control, Ss showed high physiological arousal similar to Ss who could not control the event. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral training of social skills in shy males.

31 college males who had reported themselves unable to interact with women in specific social situations were asked to record every interaction for 1 wk. Following this, a series of behavioral tests was given. When compared to a group of confident Ss, shy Ss interacted with fewer women, in fewer situations, and for less time outside of the laboratory. In laboratory test situations shy Ss rated themselves and were rated by Os as being more anxious. Pulse rate was monitored during the behavioral testing. Confident Ss had significantly less pulse rate change during the test situations. After pretesting, shy Ss were randomly assigned to either an assessment control group or an analogue treatment group, with treatment consisting of 3 sessions of behavior rehearsal, modeling, and coaching. On posttesting, Ss who had received treatment showed less physiological responsivity to the testing stimuli, reported less anxiety, and were rated as being more skillful in the test situations. Behavioral diaries revealed that following treatment Ss who received training changed more than control Ss on several measures of frequency and duration of interactions with women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-desensitization and meditation in the reduction of public speaking anxiety.

Assigned 38 speech-anxious students to the following self-administered treatment conditions: (a) systematic desensitization, (b) desensitization with meditation replacing progressive relaxation, (c) meditation only, and (d) no treatment. All 3 treatment manuals included coping-skill instructions. The results indicate that the 3 treatments were equally effective in reducing anxiety and produced a greater reduction in self-reported (but not behavioral) anxiety than that found in untreated Ss. Reliable changes in physiological manifestations of anxiety were found only in Ss who rated the treatment rationale as highly credible. High credibility ratings were also associated with significantly greater reductions in self-reported anxiety. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)