Reduction of Verbally Learned Fear in Children: A Comparison Between Positive Information, Imagery, and a Control Condition

• NCJ Number: 234169
• Journal: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 139-144
• Author(s): Peter Muris; Jorg Huijding; Birgit Mayer; Wendy van As; Sharon van Alem
• Date Published: June 2011
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study investigated the effects of positive information and imagery as ways of reducing fear in children.

Abstract

This study explored the effects of positive information and imagery as ways of reducing a verbally installed fear in children. Seventy-two primary school children aged 9-13 years were first exposed to negative information to induce fear of a novel animal, and were then randomly assigned to 3 interventions: positive information, imagery, or a control condition. Outcome of various interventions was assessed by means of a standardized scale of fear beliefs and an index of confirmation bias (defined as the tendency to search for threat information in relation to the feared stimulus). Results indicated that both positive information and imagery were more effective in reducing fear than the control condition. Some evidence was also obtained showing that positive information was more effective than imagery, which suggests that this intervention represents the most optimal treatment approach when dealing with verbally acquired fears in children. (Published Abstract) Table, figure, and references