Cognitive Coping as a Mechanism of Change in Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy for Fear of Flying: A Longitudinal Study With 3‐Year Follow‐Up. Issue 9 (16th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Busscher, Bert; Spinhoven, Philip
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 73:Issue 9(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1064
• Page End: 1075
• Publication Date: 2016-12-16
• Subjects: emotion regulation -- mechanism of change -- aviophobia -- anxiety -- CBT; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To examine the predictive value of cognitive coping strategies at pretreatment and the value of changes in these strategies during cognitive‐behavioral treatment for aviophobia for long‐term therapy results. Method: Data from baseline, after therapy at 2 months, short‐term follow‐up at 5 months, and long‐term follow‐up at 41 months were analyzed (N = 59). Results: Participants were in a long‐term process of change, which continued positively after therapy for maladaptive cognitive coping strategies. The use of cognitive coping strategies at baseline was not predictive of long‐term outcome. However, a greater increase in the use of adaptive coping strategies, and more importantly, a greater decrease in the use of maladaptive coping strategies were predictive of improvements indicated in self‐report of flight anxiety and actual flight behavior at long‐term follow‐up. Conclusion: Improvement of maladaptive cognitive coping strategies is possibly a key mechanism of change in cognitive‐behavioral therapy for aviophobia.