Objective: This study examined (a) duration of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as a moderator of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus its components (cognitive therapy and self-control desensitization) and (b) increases in dynamic flexibility of anxious symptoms during the course of psychotherapy as a mediator of this moderation. Degree of…

A description of a mediational model to explain the effectiveness of desensitization and a discussion of the available corroborative research findings for this alternative explanation are given. Also, specific procedural modifications for systematic desensitization are suggested. (Author)

Using speech anxiety as the target behavior, this study compared two self-control desensitization procedures. Speech-anxious community residents (N=42) volunteered for participation in the program and were seen within a group context for a total of seven therapy sessions. No differential effectiveness was found between the two desensitization…

An overview of the behaviorally-oriented fear reduction methods for children is presented. Systematic desensitization and related procedures, flooding-related therapies, contingency management approaches, modeling procedures, and self-control methods are discussed after reviewing normative and prevalence data regarding children's fears. Research…

Compared the effectiveness of systematic and self-control desensitization in 35 test-anxious college students. Results showed both treatments were equally effective and resulted in improved grades and reduced anxiety. The delayed treatment group reported improved self-concept as well as reduced anxiety. (JAC)

Compared neuro-linguistic programing treatment for anxiety with self-control desensitization of equal duration and a waiting-list control group in treating public speaking anxiety. Results indicated that neither treatment was more effective in reducing anxiety than merely waiting for one hour. (Author/MCF)

Argues that several features of the child's developing physical, psychological, and behavioral character suggest some interventions are efficacious and some are less efficient or counterproductive. Illustrations are drawn from pertinent literature on such topics as systematic desensitization, cognitive-behavioral self-control therapy,…

Compared effectiveness of counterconditioning and self-control models of systematic desensitization in reducing targeted and nontargeted anxieties. Treatments were equally effective in reducing and maintaining reduction of targeted anxiety, debilitating test anxiety. (Author)

A followup investigation of effects of self-control interventions on targeted (test) and nontargeted anxieties showed maintenance of nontargeted anxiety reduction. Subjects reported less nontargeted anxiety than controls. Differences on nontargeted anxiety measures approached significance for subjects in modified desensitization. (Author)

College-student snake phobics received one of four treatments to reduce their snake avoidance behavior. Behavioral and self-report assessment showed all three treatments relative to the control to be highly and equally effective in reducing snake avoidance behavior. (Author)

Compared effects of relaxation as self-control and a self-control variant of systematic desensitization in reducing targeted (test anxiety) and nontargeted anxieties with those of wait-list and no-treatment expectancy controls. Groups given relaxation as self-control and modified desensitization reported less debilitating test anxiety than…

Relaxation as self-control and desensitization were compared to a wait-list control in reduction of rest and other anxieties. Active treatments differed significantly from the control treatment. Subjects in both treatments reported less debilitating test anxiety, whereas desensitization subjects showed greater facilitating test anxiety. (Author)

Test-anxious students were assigned to four treatment groups, a placebo group, or an untreated control group. Four treatment groups resulted from combinations of two treatment rationales (active coping and passive reciprocal inhibition) and two treatment procedures (self-control and standard). Treatment groups were equally effective in reducing…

Anxiety management training and self-control desensitization effectively reduced debilitating test anxiety and increased facilitating test anxiety. Follow-up demonstrated maintenance of debilitating test anxiety reduction. Subjects receiving treatment had significantly higher psychology grades. (Author)

Variations of systematic desensitization that include deep muscle relaxation (DMR) seem useful in remediating some behavior problems of children. Studied the effects of DMR and DMR with Covert Positive Reinforcement (CPR) in reducing maladaptive behavior of children, ages 6 to 12. (Author)