Modification of Hostile Interpretation Bias in Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Other Authors: Smith, Hillary l. (Hillary Lauren) (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Clinical psychology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_FA2016_Smith_fsu_0071N_13626

A growing literature exists that examines the efficacy of computerized Interpretation Bias Modification interventions (IBM’s) in altering existing cognitive biases and thereby reducing symptoms associated with various forms of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression, problematic anger). In the present study, a sample of 40 adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were randomly assigned to receive eight sessions of either an IBM targeting hostile interpretation bias (IBM-H) or a healthy video control (HVC) condition. We found that, compared to those in the HVC group, participants in the IBM-H group reported greater positive interpretation bias and lower hostile interpretation bias at post-treatment. However, there was no difference in depressive interpretation bias between groups at post-treatment. IBM-H also led to higher reported capacity for outward anger control at post-treatment and follow-up compared to HVC. Additionally, among those without interpersonal violence PTSD at baseline, IBM-H led to lower trait anger at post-treatment than HVC; no effect of condition on trait anger was found for individuals who met for interpersonal violence PTSD. Surprisingly, an interaction was found such that, at high levels of pre-treatment depression, those in the IBM-H condition reported higher depression scores at follow-up than those in HVC; at low levels of pre-treatment depression, the effect of treatment was trending in the opposite direction. The IBM-H group also perceived their treatment as less credible than the HVC group. For individuals with high expectancy of treatment success, IBM-H led to lower post-treatment depressive symptoms compared to HVC; a trend was found demonstrating the opposite among those with low expectancy of treatment success. Overall, the findings point to boundary conditions for the efficacy of IBM protocols for anger and depression and potential improvements to be made to future IBM protocols. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. === Fall Semester 2016. === October 11, 2016. === Anger, Clinical Trial, Cognitive Bias, Depression, Hostility, Interpretation Bias Modification === Includes bibliographical references. === Jesse R. Cougle, Professor Directing Thesis; Thomas E. Joiner, Committee Member; James K. McNulty, Committee Member.