title: A preliminary investigation of the effects of the unified protocol on temperament.
abstract: Previous research has shown that two dimensions of temperament referred to as neuroticism/behavioral inhibition (N/BI) and extraversion/behavioral activation (E/BA) are key risk factors in the development and maintenance of anxiety and mood disorders (Brown & Barlow, 2009). Given such findings, these temperamental dimensions may represent promising treatment targets for individuals with emotional disorders; however, to date, few studies have investigated the effects of psychological treatments on temperamental constructs generally assumed to be "stable, inflexible, and pervasive" (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining the effects of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP; Barlow et al., 2011), a cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to target core processes of N/BI and E/BA temperaments, in a sample of adults with principal anxiety disorders and a range of comorbid conditions. Results revealed small effects of the UP on N/BI and E/BA compared with a waitlist control group at post-treatment. Additionally, decreases in N/BI and increases in E/BA during treatment were associated with improvements in symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. Findings provide preliminary support for the notion that the UP treatment facilitates beneficial changes in dimensions of temperament.
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA. Electronic address: jcarl@bu.edu.
authors.forename: Jenna R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Carl
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-4817.
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Shannon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sauer-Zavala
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Kate H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000075384:Neuroticism; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013694:Temperament; D014850:Waiting Lists