Self-focused attention in the treatment of social phobia.
For those with social phobia self-focused attention has been linked with impairment in social performance increased social anxiety, and a higher frequency of self-critical thoughts during social situations. The purpose of this investigation was to assess correlates of changes in situational self-focus over the course of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT). Focus of attention was assessed after in-session role-plays and after in vivo homework assignments during group CBT for social phobia. Analyses revealed a significant decrease in self-focused attention over time; focus on events and stimuli outside of the self remained unchanged. Treatment gains on anxiety during dyadic interactions, on negative self-judgments, and on personalized social fears were related to reduction in self-focused attention. Those with public speaking phobias showed a strong relationship between decreased self-focus and speech anxiety. These findings suggest that changes in self-focused attention during the course of CBT are related to important therapeutic gains Specific interventions aimed at decreasing self-focus may be a useful treatment strategy.
Woody
S R
SR
Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA.
Chambless
D L
DL
Glass
C R
CR
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception