Danger Expectancies, Self-efficacy and Subjective Anxiety as Mediators of Avoidance Behaviour in Spider Phobia
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Published:2002-09-01
Issue:3
Volume:19
Page:129-137
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ISSN:0813-4839
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Container-title:Behaviour Change
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Behav. change
Author:
Gilroy Lisa J.,Kirkby Kenneth C.,Daniels Brett A.,Menzies Ross G.,Montgomery Iain M.
Abstract
AbstractForty-five participants diagnosed with specific phobia (spiders) gave ratings of subjective anxiety, self-efficacy and the probability of being bitten or injured by a spider while completing a behavioural avoidance test involving exposure to a live spider. Testing was performed before and after treatment and at a 3-month follow-up. Results indicated that subjective anxiety was a more useful predictor of avoidance behaviour than self-efficacy. Danger expectancies in relation to being bitten and/or injured by a spider were not found to be a significant cognitive symptom in the majority of spider phobia sufferers during the behavioural avoidance test with a live spider. Methodological factors that may account for the low reporting of danger-related cognitions in the present study are discussed.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Clinical Psychology,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
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