Modification of Hostile Interpretation Bias in Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Issue 2 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Hillary L.; Dillon, Kirsten H.; Cougle, Jesse R.
• Is Part Of: Behavior therapy. Volume 49:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: interpretation bias modification -- depression -- anger -- hostile interpretation bias; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.8914205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7894

Abstract

Abstract: Interpretation Bias Modification (IBM) is gaining attention in the literature as an intervention that alters cognitive biases and reduces associated symptoms. Forty, primarily college-aged, non-treatment-seeking adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomly assigned to receive either IBM targeting hostile interpretation bias (IBM-H) or a healthy video control (HVC) condition. Compared to those in HVC, participants in IBM-H reported more benign interpretations and fewer hostile interpretations at posttreatment. No difference in depressive interpretation bias was found between groups at posttreatment. IBM-H led to improved anger control at posttreatment and follow-up compared to HVC, though no effects of condition were found on trait anger or depressive symptoms. The IBM-H group perceived their treatment as less credible than the HVC group. For individuals with high expectancy of treatment success, IBM-H led to lower posttreatment depressive symptoms compared to HVC, while findings trended in the opposite direction for those with low expectancy of success. Overall, these preliminary findings point to boundary conditions for the efficacy of IBM protocols for anger and depression and potential improvements to be made to future IBM protocols. Highlights: Discusses interpretation bias modification for hostile interpretation bias (IBM-H). Randomized controlled trial of IBM-H in a clinically depressed sample. IBM-H reduced hostile interpretation bias; no impact on depressive bias. IBM-H improved anger control; no impact on trait-level anger, depressive symptoms. Expectancy of treatment success in IBM-H impacted symptom outcome measures.