title: The Effects of Transdiagnostic Group CBT for Anxiety on Insomnia Symptoms.
abstract: Insomnia is a common feature among individuals with anxiety disorders. Studies of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety report moderate effects on concomitant insomnia symptoms, but further research is still needed especially toward understanding how CBT for anxiety renders beneficial effects on insomnia. The current study examined changes in insomnia symptoms reported by 51 Veterans who participated in a group-based transdiagnostic CBT for anxiety intervention. In addition, insomnia symptoms were examined in relation to symptoms of general distress (GD), anhedonic depression (AD), and anxious arousal (AA) pre- to post-treatment. Results revealed a small, though statistically significant (p < .05) beneficial effect on insomnia symptoms. When changes in GD, AD, and AA were simultaneously examined in relation to changes in insomnia, change in AA was the only significant predictor of insomnia symptoms. The current study highlights the role of AA in the relationship between anxiety disorders and insomnia and demonstrates that reductions in insomnia during transdiagnostic CBT for anxiety can be largely attributed to changes in AA.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Service , VA San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Sarah Kate
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Service , VA San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Emmanuel P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Espejo
authors.affiliation: b Psychology , VA Puget Sound Health Care System , Tacoma , WA , USA.
authors.forename: Noelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balliett
authors.affiliation: c Research Service , VA San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Werdowatz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001143:Arousal; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety; anxious arousal; cognitive behavior therapy; insomnia