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Modifying adolescent interpretation biases through cognitive training: effects on negative affect and stress
Machteld D Telman1, Emily A Holmes, Jennifer Y F Lau
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4AU, UK. m.d.telman@vu.nl
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|June 1, 2013
Summary
Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations (CBM-I) training can alter adolescent stress appraisals. Positive CBM-I training boosts resilience by promoting benign interpretations and reducing perceived stress impact.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
Background:
- Adolescent anxiety is prevalent, causing significant impairment and costs.
- Innovations in adolescent anxiety therapy are crucial due to its widespread impact.
- Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations (CBM-I) shows promise in adults for improving mood by training benign interpretations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of positive versus negative CBM-I training on adolescent stress appraisals.
- To examine the plasticity of interpretational styles in adolescents.
- To determine if CBM-I training influences perceived impact of stressors.
Main Methods:
- Forty-nine adolescents aged 15-18 participated in the study.
- Participants underwent either positive or negative CBM-I training.
- Appraisals of ambiguous situations and perceived stress impact were assessed.
Main Results:
- Adolescents receiving positive CBM-I training demonstrated more benign interpretations of new ambiguous situations compared to those receiving negative training.
- Positively-trained adolescents perceived recent stressors as having less impact on their lives.
- Data support the plasticity of interpretational styles in adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Positive CBM-I training may enhance resilience in adolescents by fostering benign interpretations and reducing the perceived impact of stress.
- Negative interpretational styles might exacerbate negative responses to stress.
- CBM-I represents a potential therapeutic avenue for adolescent anxiety and stress management.
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