Siavash Bandarian-Balooch1, David L Neumann2, Mark J Boschen2. 1. School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia; Behavioural Basis of Health Program, Griffith Health Institute, Australia. Electronic address: s.bandarianbalooch@griffith.edu.au. 2. School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia; Behavioural Basis of Health Program, Griffith Health Institute, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research has demonstrated that after exposure treatment, re-exposure to a previously feared stimulus outside of the treatment context can result in renewal of fear. The current study investigated whether conducting exposure treatment in multiple real-life contexts can attenuate renewal of fear. METHODS:Forty-six moderate to high spider fearful individuals were randomly allocated to groups that received exposure treatment in either one context or three contexts. Follow-up testing was conducted one week and four weeks after exposure in the treatment context or a novel context. RESULTS:Renewal of fear was found for the single extinction context group when exposed to the feared object in a novel context with self-report of fear, heart rate, and behavioural avoidance. However, renewal of fear was attenuated for the multiple extinction context group. LIMITATIONS: The sample included moderate to high spider fearful participants rather than clients with spider phobia, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings to clinical populations. CONCLUSIONS: Using multiple extinction contexts in combination with other methods of attenuating renewal (e.g., context similarity) may provide a means to reduce the risk of renewal of fear.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research has demonstrated that after exposure treatment, re-exposure to a previously feared stimulus outside of the treatment context can result in renewal of fear. The current study investigated whether conducting exposure treatment in multiple real-life contexts can attenuate renewal of fear. METHODS: Forty-six moderate to high spider fearful individuals were randomly allocated to groups that received exposure treatment in either one context or three contexts. Follow-up testing was conducted one week and four weeks after exposure in the treatment context or a novel context. RESULTS: Renewal of fear was found for the single extinction context group when exposed to the feared object in a novel context with self-report of fear, heart rate, and behavioural avoidance. However, renewal of fear was attenuated for the multiple extinction context group. LIMITATIONS: The sample included moderate to high spider fearful participants rather than clients with spider phobia, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings to clinical populations. CONCLUSIONS: Using multiple extinction contexts in combination with other methods of attenuating renewal (e.g., context similarity) may provide a means to reduce the risk of renewal of fear.
Authors: Luciana Besedovsky; Mona Benischke; Jörg Fischer; Amir S Yazdi; Jan Born Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2020-05-04 Impact factor: 11.205