Modification of interpretation biases in worry: an examination of cognitive and physiological responses

Abstract

Excessive and debilitating worry is a core feature of generalised anxiety disorder. A number of cognitive constructs have been highlighted as being relevant to the initiation and maintenance of worry, but the extent and quality of the evidence to support these links has never been systematically reviewed. The present review systematically examines the evidence for a causal relationship between the following cognitive constructs and worry: interpretation and attention biases, attentional control, mentation style (verbal vs. imagery), intolerance of uncertainty, positive and negative beliefs about worry, and goal directed worry stop rules. PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were searched and after removal of duplicates and extraction of studies that did not meet inclusion criteria, 13 studies remained. Evidence was found to support a causal relationship between all examined constructs and worry, except positive and negative beliefs about worry. The experimental psychopathology techniques employed to manipulate cognitive constructs are discussed, as are methods of measuring worry and the quality of the studies in the review. Suggestions for future research in this area are made.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	King's College London
Supervisor	Colette Hirsch (Supervisor) & Charlotte Margarete Hildegard Krahe (Supervisor)