Publications by authors named "Marjolein R Thunnissen"

Psychological treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents have shown poorer outcomes than for other anxiety disorders. A relevant factor to consider for improving outcomes may be negative imagery. In this pilot study, we examined negative 'flashforward' imagery of feared catastrophic outcomes in adolescents with SAD and evaluated the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a short eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention targeting this imagery.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD) is less effective than for other anxiety disorders, but focusing on the negative mental images associated with SAD could improve treatment outcomes.
  • - A systematic review of 21 studies found that imagery-based interventions, particularly imagery rescripting, showed promising effects on reducing social anxiety and imagery distress, especially in those with a clinical diagnosis of SAD.
  • - Future research should explore how these imagery interventions can enhance existing treatments for SAD and consider including younger populations, as some limitations were identified in the current studies.
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Background And Objectives: It has been proposed that negative mental imagery plays an important role in the persistence of social fears. Experiencing vivid and distressing 'flashforward' images of a potential social catastrophe appears to be of relevance in speech anxiety. To clarify the role of these images, the current experimental study tested if reducing the vividness and distressing properties of recurring negative flashforward images subsequently reduces anxiety and avoidance tendencies regarding a speech.

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Speech anxiety (SA) is a highly prevalent social fear. Prospective 'flashforward' (FF) imagery of an upcoming social catastrophe may be a particularly important cognitive factor in SA persistence via eliciting anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Since earlier research on imagery and social anxiety has not strictly differentiated between types of negative imagery, the occurrence, precise features, and impact of FF imagery remain unclear.

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Traditionally, symptoms of youth psychopathology are assessed with questionnaires, clinical interviews, or laboratory observations. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) could be a particularly valuable additional methodology, since EMA enables examining the daily lives of youths near real-time, considering fluctuations and specific contexts of symptoms. This systematic review aimed to review the characteristics of current EMA applications and to provide a synthesis of their potential in studying youth psychopathology.

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