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In vivo distraction‐coping in the treatment of test anxiety
Author(s) -
Thyer Bruce A.,
Papsdorf James D.,
Himle David P.,
McCann Barbara S.,
Caldwell Sue,
Wickert Martin
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198110)37:4<754::aid-jclp2270370412>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - anagram , distraction , psychology , anxiety , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , test anxiety , dysfunctional family , cognition , relaxation (psychology) , psychotherapist , cognitive psychology , task (project management) , psychiatry , social psychology , management , economics
Two groups ( N = 19) of clinically test anxious college students received a common core treatment program of cognitive behavior therapy, progressive muscular relaxation training, and thermal biofeedback assisted relaxation training. The experimental group received an additional treatment component that consisted of in vivo distraction‐coping training designed to facilitate focusing attentional processes onto task relevant variables and away from external distractors and dysfunctional self‐statements. The overall efficacy of the program was demonstrated with reductions in test, trait and state anxiety, and increases in the rationality of personal belief systems. Performance on an anagram solution task conducted under highly distracting conditions and evaluative interactions was improved significantly, as was motoric performance on a manual dexterity task. In vivo distraction‐coping was not found to result in more efficacious treatment as measured by selfreport and performance variables.