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Who can learn not to fear? Heart rate variability and lay theories of self-control as predictors of exposure therapy outcomes.

Vilensky, Michael
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3760-4241
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1437426966

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
While considerable research supports the efficacy of exposure-based treatments for a range of anxiety disorders, the benefits of treatment often erode over time, such that many patients experience return of fear (ROF). Although researchers have had difficulty identifying reliable predictors of ROF (Craske et al., 2008), recent findings suggest that the ability to exert self-control, such that one can actively engage during treatment, may be associated with enhanced retention of gains. Given that heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with such capacities, and has shared neuroanatomical underpinnings with extinction learning, it was hypothesized that individual differences in HRV would predict long-term treatment outcomes. Additionally, given research suggesting that non-limited resource (versus limited) theories of self-control forestall the depletion of self- control resources, it was hypothesized that individuals holding such theories would show enhanced retention of gains. These hypotheses were tested in a sample of individuals with spider phobia who underwent a standardized exposure therapy treatment protocol (Rowe & Craske, 1998). Results indicated that participants demonstrated a significant reduction in spider fear from pre- to post-treatment. Unexpectedly, in contrast to past studies, these gains were largely maintained at 1-month follow-up, with no significant ROF observed. Additionally, neither HRV nor lay theories of self-control significantly predicted the retention of treatment gains. However, the range restriction due to the rather uniform treatment response likely reduced statistical power to detect predictors of ROF. Although predictors of ROF were not found, increased engagement during exposures was found to predict reduced fear at post-treatment.
Michael Vasey, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Russell Fazio, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Julian Thayer, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
84 p.
Clinical Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy
heart rate variability; phobia; exposure therapy; lay theories; self-control; return of fear

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vilensky, M. (2015). Who can learn not to fear? Heart rate variability and lay theories of self-control as predictors of exposure therapy outcomes. [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1437426966

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vilensky, Michael. Who can learn not to fear? Heart rate variability and lay theories of self-control as predictors of exposure therapy outcomes. 2015. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1437426966.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vilensky, Michael. "Who can learn not to fear? Heart rate variability and lay theories of self-control as predictors of exposure therapy outcomes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1437426966

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1437426966
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.