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Evaluation of a brief 4-session psychoeducation procedure for high worriers based on the mood-as-input hypothesis

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 19:19 authored by Suzanne R Dash, Frances Meeten, Fergal Jones, Graham C L Davey
Background & objectives Given the ubiquity of worrying as a consuming and distressing activity at both clinical and sub-clinical levels, it is important to develop theory-driven procedures that address worrying and allow worriers to manage this activity. This paper describes the development and testing of a psychoeducation procedure based on mood-as-input hypothesis, which is a transdiagnostic model that describes a proximal mechanism for perseverative worrying. The study used nonclinical participants meeting IAPT criteria indicating GAD symptomatology. Methods In 4 sessions, participants in experimental groups received psychoeducation about the basic principles of the mood-as-input hypothesis and received guidance on how to identify and change worry-relevant goal-directed decision rules and negative moods. Participants in the psychoeducation conditions were compared with participants in a befriending control group. Results Psychoeducation about the model significantly reduced PSWQ scores at follow-up compared with the befriending control condition (a between-groups large effect size, Cohen's d = 1.05), and the homework tasks undertaken by the psychoeducation groups raised mood and reduced worry immediately. At follow up 48.2% of participants in the psychoeducation groups were below the recommended cut-off for identifying GAD symptomatology compared with 20% of participants in the control condition. Limitations This study was conducted on a small sample, high-worry student population, without a formal diagnosis. Conclusions This brief, low-intensity procedure is potentially adaptable to online or self-help procedures, and can be integrated into fuller cognitive therapy packages.

Funding

MECHANISMS OF CATASTROPHIC WORRYING; G0194; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/H023704/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

ISSN

00057916

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

46

Page range

126-132

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-12-18

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