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Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Perceived threat: exploring its association with worry and its hypothesized antecedents
Howard Berenbaum1, Renee J Thompson, Keith Bredemeier
1Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. hberenba@uiuc.edu
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|May 22, 2007
Summary
Higher perceived threat, including the probability and cost of negative outcomes, is linked to increased worry in college students. This association persists even when considering worry beliefs and predictability.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Worry is a common experience, often linked to perceptions of potential future threats.
- Understanding the relationship between threat perception and worry is crucial for mental health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between perceived threat (probability and cost of negative outcomes) and worry.
- To examine how worry beliefs and desire for predictability relate to perceived threat and worry.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with college student participants (N=262 and N=239).
- Participants' perceptions of threat, levels of worry, worry beliefs, and desire for predictability were assessed.
Main Results:
- Higher perceived probability and cost of negative outcomes were associated with increased worry in both studies.
- The link between perceived threat and worry remained significant after controlling for maladaptive worry beliefs and desire for predictability.
- Perceived threat moderated the relationship between worry and these antecedents.
Conclusions:
- Perceptions of threat are a significant correlate of worry among college students.
- The findings highlight the central role of threat appraisal in the maintenance of worry.
- Interventions targeting threat perception may be beneficial for managing excessive worry.
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