title: Does the vigilance-avoidance gazing behavior of children with separation anxiety disorder change after cognitive-behavioral therapy?
abstract: Cognitive biases are of interest in understanding the development of anxiety disorders. They also play a significant role during psychotherapy, where cognitive biases are modified in order to break the vicious cycle responsible for maintaining anxiety disorders. In a previous study, the vigilance-avoidance pattern was shown in children with separation anxiety disorder (In-Albon et al. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 38:225-235, 2010). The exhibited avoidance pattern may be essential for the maintenance of the anxiety disorder. Therefore, in the present study we used eye tracking methodology presenting disorder specific pictures to examine possible changes in the vigilance-avoidance pattern in 18 children with separation anxiety disorder after cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and 13 healthy controls. Results indicated that following treatment, the vigilance pattern of children with separation anxiety disorder reduced significantly. Thus, the vigilance-avoidance pattern can be modified by CBT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland. tina.in-albon@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: In-Albon
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001288:Attention; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male