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The impact of reduced worry on general functioning: A mediation analysis from a randomized trial
Erik Andersson1, David Mataix-Cols2, Klara Olofsdotter Lauri1
1Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Summary
Reducing excessive worry, measured by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, significantly improves general functioning. This improvement is sustained long-term, up to one year post-intervention, highlighting worry reduction as key for better daily life.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Excessive worry is linked to impaired cognitive and problem-solving skills.
- The broader impact of excessive worry on general functioning remains unclear.
- COVID-19 pandemic-related worry presents a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if reductions in COVID-19 worry mediate improvements in general functioning during an online intervention.
- To determine if reduced COVID-19 worry has a lasting positive impact on general functioning up to one year post-intervention.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (N=670) of a self-guided online psychological intervention.
- Mediation analysis using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (general functioning) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (worry) over 3 weeks.
- Longitudinal analysis examining worry reduction during treatment as a predictor of general functioning at 1- and 12-month follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Improvements in general functioning at week 3 were significantly mediated by worry reductions in the first 2 weeks (indirect effect estimate -0.08; 95% CI -0.15, -0.02).
- Mediation effects were robust, with sensitivity analyses showing significance when residual correlations were below r=0.
- Reductions in worry during the 3-week treatment predicted improved general functioning at both 1- and 12-month follow-ups (p < .05).
Conclusions:
- Targeting excessive worry is crucial for enhancing general functioning in individuals experiencing high levels of worry.
- Online psychological interventions effectively reduce worry and improve functioning, with sustained long-term benefits.
- Findings support the importance of addressing worry to improve overall quality of life and daily performance.
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