A transdiagnostic self-help guide for anxiety: two preliminary controlled trials in subclinical student samples

C. Dixon, W. Mansell, E. Rawlinson, A. Gibson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Self-help therapies, such as bibliotherapy, are becoming increasingly more available to the general population as a treatment for psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety. However, relatively few of these self-help books are properly evaluated to test their treatment efficacy. Two studies aimed to test a new self-help book to treat fears, phobias and anxiety in order to see if symptoms of anxiety and associated symptoms, such as functioning and coping, were improved compared to baseline scores and a waiting-list control group. Study 1 adopted a minimal guided approach (experimental group: n = 25; waiting-list control group: n = 29) whereas Study 2 adopted a non-guided approach (experimental group: n = 17; waiting-list control group: n = 16). In both studies, functioning and coping were improved and the current state of phobic symptoms was reduced. The main phobia improved only when adopting a guided approach and general psychological distress only reduced when adopting a non-guided approach. These studies provide preliminary support for a modest effect in a subclinical population. The results could have good implications for the treatment of anxiety and the use of self-help methods as an additional treatment aidor as a preventative treatment.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-15
    JournalThe Cognitive Behaviour Therapist
    Volume4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • Anxiety, anxiety disorders, cognitive behaviour therapy, common factors, control, self-help

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