Modifiability of trait anxiety and neuroticism: a meta-analysis of the literature.
It is argued that personality scales of neuroticism and anxiety are tapping the same personality trait and that this is a risk factor for neurotic disorders. To see whether this trait is modifiable, a meta-analysis was carried out of therapy outcome studies which included a measure of trait anxiety or neuroticism as a dependent measure. This meta-analysis showed that all psychological therapies are to some extent effective. However, rational-emotive and related therapies produced particularly large reductions in trait anxiety/neuroticism (around 1.25 standard deviations). The possibility that rational-emotive education programmes could be used to lower trait anxiety/neuroticism as a preventive measure is discussed.
Jorm
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AF
NH&MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, Australian National University, Canberra.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001143:Arousal; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010556:Personality Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*