Cognitive Therapy and Research最新文献

Background: Anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms have been associated with threat-related attention bias assessed in the widely-used dot-probe task. A novel method of scoring attention bias using response-based computation has shown improved reliability over standard computation approaches with adult samples.

Methods: The current study applies this approach using secondary analysis of dot probe data from a sample of preschool-aged children ages 3-7 (n = 280) with varying levels of violence exposure. Attention bias indices were then examined alongside mother-report and observational measures of child anxiety. The standard approach used average reaction times to create a single measure of vigilant or avoidant bias per participant, whereas the response-based computation approach used trial-level reaction times to dissociate separate measures of vigilant and avoidant bias per participant.

Results: The standard computation approach demonstrated unacceptable levels of internal consistency. In contrast, response-based computation of vigilant and avoidant bias demonstrated good and acceptable levels of internal consistency, respectively. Using the standard computation approach, no significant symptom associations were observed. Using the response-based computation approach greater ratio of vigilant bias relative to avoidant bias (i.e., vigilant bias > avoidant bias) was related to more observed anxious behaviors.

Conclusions: Similar to research in adults, response-based attention bias indices demonstrated superior psychometric properties and stronger symptom associations compared to the standard computation approach and may offer advantages over the standard computation approach to study attention bias in young children.

Background

Recent research has found a strong link between loneliness and social anxiety above and beyond other psychological constructs. Given these strong relationships, the present study sought to determine if mechanisms that maintain social anxiety may also play a role in loneliness. Specifically, the present study used two samples to explore the role of social safety behavior (SBs; behaviors intended to avoid, prevent, or manage threat) in loneliness.

Methods

In Study 1, we explored this relationship in an unselected sample (N = 98). In Study 2, participants (N = 132) with elevated social anxiety were randomized to a two-week SB fading manipulation or a no-instruction control.

Results

SBs were positively associated with loneliness, independent of co-occurring social anxiety. Further, changes in SBs were associated with changes in loneliness one-month later, and social anxiety was no longer significantly associated with loneliness once SBs were entered in these models. SB fading led to significantly lower loneliness at post-manipulation, relative to the control condition, though this effect was only found in individuals high in baseline loneliness. Additionally, a moderated mediation model found that for individuals high in pre-manipulation loneliness, change in loneliness was accounted for by change in negative interpretation bias, a key mechanism in both loneliness and social anxiety.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that targeting SB may be a viable method of addressing loneliness, though further research is needed.

Background

Depression often leads to clinical admission. Stimulating positive memory bias through repeated retrieval can counteract a ruminative depressotypic processing style. Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM)-Memory is a psychological intervention, which was evaluated as possible adjunct treatment for depressed inpatients.

Methods

A randomized controlled pilot study with a one-week follow-up was implemented to compare the effect of a four-session positive CBM-Memory intervention to a neutral CBM-Memory version. Training-congruent retrieval (as manipulation check), and transfer to rumination (as mechanistic target) and depressive symptoms (self-rated and clinician-rated; indication of clinical relevance) were assessed.

Results

In the intention-to-treat sample (N = 81, M_age=35.6/SD = 11.9, 60% female), condition-congruent memory retrieval of previously presented target words was found after the training and at follow-up (large effect-sizes). Positive CBM-Memory intervention resulted in sustained recall bias and largest rumination reduction with a small-medium effect size. Additionally, the conditions did not differ significantly on the reduction in depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Positive CBM-Memory intervention yielded positive recall bias, which was still present one week later. Additionally, the positive condition did yield more decrease in trait (but not state) rumination, providing some support for rumination as mechanistic target of positive CBM-Memory. However, there was no evidence for transfer of the training effect to depressive symptoms, indicating no superiority on clinical recovery of the positive over the neutral condition. Future research should examine a higher dosage, integration of CBM in the treatment provision, and its long-term effects in a well-powered trial.