title: Does threatening imagery sensitize distress during contaminant exposure?
abstract: Prominent models of fear focus on the role of cognition in the development and maintenance of maladaptive responses. Little research, however, has evaluated the impact of cognition on distress reduction. The current study uses an experimental design to examine the effect of different types of imagery (moving harm, static harm, and safety) on reduction of distress associated with a contaminating stimulus in a normal university sample. Results indicate that use of moving harm imagery sensitizes distress during a 30-min exposure, whereas static harm and safety imagery reduce distress. These findings demonstrate that cognitive factors can moderate affective response during exposure. Clinical implications for the treatment of anxiety disorders are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Dorfan
authors.forename: Sheila R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Woody
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014556:Urine