Does the unified protocol really change neuroticism? Results from a randomized trial.
Shannon Sauer-Zavala1, Jay C Fournier2, Stephanie Jarvi Steele3
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY40506, USA.
Psychological Medicine
|April 22, 2020
Summary
The unified protocol (UP) significantly reduced neuroticism in anxiety disorder patients compared to symptom-focused CBT and waitlist controls. Targeting neuroticism directly may yield the most effective treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Neuroticism is linked to various mental health conditions and negative life outcomes.
- Previous treatment research shows mixed results for reducing neuroticism, possibly because interventions target symptoms, not the trait itself.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the unified protocol (UP), a transdiagnostic intervention targeting neuroticism, reduces neuroticism more effectively than standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or a waitlist (WL).
Main Methods:
- 223 patients with principal anxiety disorders were enrolled.
- Participants completed self-report neuroticism measures and clinician-rated symptom assessments.
- Intervention groups included the UP, symptom-focused CBT, and a WL control.
Main Results:
- At 16 weeks, the UP group showed significantly lower neuroticism than both symptom-focused CBT and WL groups.
- These findings persisted even after accounting for changes in depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Effect sizes indicated a moderate reduction in neuroticism with the UP.
Conclusions:
- Explicitly targeting neuroticism in treatment may lead to more robust and lasting effects.
- The UP demonstrates potential as an effective intervention for reducing neuroticism in anxiety disorders.
