title: Focus-of-attention behavioral experiment: an examination of a therapeutic procedure to reduce social anxiety.
abstract: A clinical protocol based on contemporary cognitive behavioral treatment for social anxiety was developed and examined. Previously published instructions for conducting a focus-of-attention behavioral experiment targeting self-focused attention and safety behaviors during exposure were used to create a structured protocol. Individuals (n = 45) with high levels of social anxiety and public-speaking anxiety were randomly assigned to either a focus-of-attention behavioral experiment (FABE) or an Exposure-Only Control (EOC) condition. During four exposure trials, those in the FABE condition (n = 24) were alternately instructed to engage in self-focused attention vs. externally focused attention and to eliminate safety behaviors. Those in the EOC condition (n = 21) were not so instructed. At post-intervention, individuals in the FABE condition showed significantly less self-focused attention and anxiety, and better observed performance as rated by audience members. Focus-of-attention statistically mediated the effect of condition on anxiety. For those in the FABE condition, the degree of association between focus-of-attention and anxiety during the intervention predicted less self-focused attention post-intervention. The FABE appears to be a useful procedure for implementing part of the contemporary cognitive behavioral treatment model.
authors.affiliation: a PTSD Clinical Team , Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center , Cleveland , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Valentiner
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Jacob B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Holzman
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D000070379:Attentional Bias; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D013060:Speech; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Social anxiety; behavioral experiment; cognitive-behavioral therapy; self-focused attention