title: Clinical relevance of retrieval cues for attenuating context renewal of fear.
abstract: The present studies investigated if retrieval cues (reminder objects) can attenuate context renewal of fear. In Study 1, 32 participants completed exposure in one of two contexts; 1-week follow-up testing occurred in a novel or the same context. Results indicated significant renewal of fear for those tested in a novel context. In Study 2, 40 participants completed exposure in one of these contexts; half were presented with cues. One week later, all were tested in a novel context with or without cues. Results indicated weak attenuation of context renewal for participants re-presented with cues. In Study 3, 18 participants completed exposure in one of two maximally distinct contexts; all with cues. One week later, participants were tested in a novel context with or without cues. Results indicated no group differences. These findings suggest that clinical relevance of this set of cues for attenuating context renewal may be limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. najwa@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Najwa C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Culver
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoyanova
authors.forename: Michelle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Craske
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001245:Association Learning; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D003463:Cues; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires