title: Cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy for anxiety: treatment preferences and credibility among pregnant and non-pregnant women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Relatively little is known about women's anxiety-related treatment preferences and no studies have examined potential differences between pregnant versus non-pregnant women. Treatment credibility and willingness are particularly important to understand regarding exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy, the leading evidence-based treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large U.S. sample of pregnant (n = 377) and matched non-pregnant (n = 399) women (total N = 776) rated overall treatment preferences and treatment credibility, concerns, and willingness to have CBT and pharmacotherapy if suffering from anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women preferred anxiety-related treatment that included psychotherapy. Preference for psychotherapy alone was stronger among pregnant (74%) than non-pregnant (47%) women, p < .001. In response to treatment descriptions, both groups rated CBT more favorably than pharmacotherapy on treatment willingness, credibility, and concerns, ps < .001, with the magnitude of this preference significantly greater among pregnant than non-pregnant women, ps < .001. Pregnancy status was unrelated to CBT ratings. Treatment credibility and to a lesser extent total concerns mediated the relationship between pregnancy status and pharmacotherapy willingness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-pregnant and especially pregnant women rated exposure-based CBT for anxiety more favorably than pharmacotherapy. Pregnancy status predicted general treatment preferences and pharmacotherapy, but not CBT, ratings.
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, 345 UCB Muenzinger, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA. Electronic address: Joanna.Arch@Colorado.edu.
authors: Joanna J
authors: JJ
authors: Arch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents
keywords: Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Pharmacotherapy; Pregnancy