Challenge & Background:
Recent research suggests that exaggerated attention to threat, or the threat bias, may be one key cause of anxiety that is not specifically targeted by existing treatments. However, little is known about individual differences and contextual factors that may impact the emergence of threat bias. The FLEX study focuses on improving measurement of threat bias and on targeting factors that will improve the training of attention away from threat through Attention Bias Modification Training (ABMT).
Recent findings:
We recently presented new data at the annual meeting for the Association of Psychological Science showing that threat bias is sensitive to a lab stress task and that this sensitivity can predict performance gains during attention training. In addition, we presented new methods of measuring attention to threat to better illustrate how threat bias changes moment to moment as stress increases and mood changes. Click here for further details.
These findings highlight how individual differences and methodological innovations can contribute to the long-term goal of developing more personalized approaches to remediating anxiety.
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