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A multimethod approach and novel intervention: Testing relations between implicit and explicit experiential avoidance and social anxiety disorder symptoms

Sarfan, Laurel D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4970-061X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami159501616913879

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Psychology.
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is prevalent and debilitating. More research is needed on a) the factors driving SAD symptoms and b) targeted interventions to shift these factors. Experiential avoidance (EA) has been identified as a possible factor driving SAD symptoms. Many empirically-supported treatments focus on reducing EA as a mechanism of symptom change. However, past research on the relation between EA and SAD symptoms has almost exclusively focused on explicit (i.e., consciously controlled) as compared to implicit (i.e., outside of conscious control) measures of EA. Further, little is known about how EA and SAD symptoms bidirectionally interact throughout the course of an intervention. To address these limitations of past research, the present study: 1) evaluated the psychometric properties of two implicit measures of EA, 2) dynamically modeled the week-to-week temporal relations between explicit EA and SAD symptoms, and 3) tested the efficacy and acceptability of a novel, 3-session pilot intervention targeting EA, which included a computerized program and psychoeducation. Participants (N = 78) consisted of undergraduates with elevated explicit EA and SAD symptoms. There was mixed evidence that the implicit measures demonstrated adequate validity and reliability. In partial support of hypotheses, bidirectional models of explicit EA and SAD symptoms suggested that changes in SAD symptoms preceded and predicted changes in explicit EA from week to week, but not vice versa. Further, the pilot intervention was not associated with reductions in EA and SAD symptoms, but generally, was found to be acceptable and credible. These novel findings advance our understanding of the dynamic relationships between EA and SAD symptoms throughout treatment. Given that many empirically-supported treatments target EA as a mechanism of symptom change, this study highlights a need for future work to more clearly delineate the time course by which changes in mechanisms leads to changes in symptoms. Ultimately, this could provide patients with more realistic expectations for recovery.
Elise Clerkin, PhD (Committee Chair)
April Smith, PhD (Committee Member)
Josh Magee, PhD (Committee Member)
Neil Brigden, PhD (Committee Member)
48 p.
Clinical Psychology; Psychology
Experiential Avoidance; Social Anxiety Disorder; Mechanisms; Bivariate Latent Change Score Modeling; Structural Equation Modeling

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sarfan, L. D. (2020). A multimethod approach and novel intervention: Testing relations between implicit and explicit experiential avoidance and social anxiety disorder symptoms [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami159501616913879

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sarfan, Laurel. A multimethod approach and novel intervention: Testing relations between implicit and explicit experiential avoidance and social anxiety disorder symptoms . 2020. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami159501616913879.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sarfan, Laurel. "A multimethod approach and novel intervention: Testing relations between implicit and explicit experiential avoidance and social anxiety disorder symptoms ." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami159501616913879

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami159501616913879
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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.