Changes in perceived centrality of anxious events following cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder and panic disorder

TY - JOUR

T1 - Changes in perceived centrality of anxious events following cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder and panic disorder

AU - O'Toole, Mia Skytte

AU - Watson, Lynn

AU - Rosenberg, Nicole K.

AU - Berntsen, Dorthe

PY - 2018/6

Y1 - 2018/6

N2 - Background and objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the association between reductions in symptoms of psychopathology and perceived centrality of negative autobiographical memories in participants with social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder (PD). Methods: Thirty-nine individuals with SAD or PD recalled and rated four negative autobiographical memories before and after ten sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over a three-month period. Twenty-eight healthy controls did the same before and after a three-month period. Results: As hypothesized, results showed a decrease in perceived centrality following CBT. This decrease in perceived centrality was larger, although at the trend level, for individuals who experienced reliable change on disorder-specific symptoms. Limitations: The correlational nature of the study prevents establishing the causal relationship between changes in perceived centrality and psychopathology, and future studies should explore such mechanisms. Conclusions: The present study adds to the emerging body of literature, investigating changes in centrality of event following psychotherapy.

AB - Background and objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the association between reductions in symptoms of psychopathology and perceived centrality of negative autobiographical memories in participants with social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder (PD). Methods: Thirty-nine individuals with SAD or PD recalled and rated four negative autobiographical memories before and after ten sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over a three-month period. Twenty-eight healthy controls did the same before and after a three-month period. Results: As hypothesized, results showed a decrease in perceived centrality following CBT. This decrease in perceived centrality was larger, although at the trend level, for individuals who experienced reliable change on disorder-specific symptoms. Limitations: The correlational nature of the study prevents establishing the causal relationship between changes in perceived centrality and psychopathology, and future studies should explore such mechanisms. Conclusions: The present study adds to the emerging body of literature, investigating changes in centrality of event following psychotherapy.

KW - Anxiety disorders

KW - Autobiographical memory

KW - CBT

KW - CES

KW - Centrality of event

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041666469&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.01.007

DO - 10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.01.007

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29425950

SN - 0005-7916

VL - 59

SP - 150

EP - 156

JO - Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

JF - Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

ER -