Transdiagnostic Preventative Intervention for Subclinical Anxiety

描述（由申请人提供）：焦虑症是最普遍的精神病理学形式之一，导致焦虑症患者的日常功能严重受损，并给社会带来沉重的经济负担。认知行为疗法（CBT）是治疗焦虑症的有效方法之一。尽管这些治疗方法有效，但焦虑症的患病率仍然很高，这表明需要加大努力预防这些疾病。近年来已经确定了与焦虑症发展相关的几个危险因素（如焦虑敏感性、亚临床焦虑）。然而，针对这些危险因素的预防性干预措施的发展尚处于初级阶段。迄今为止，预防性干预措施往往针对特定的焦虑障碍症状（例如，惊恐发作）。虽然这些干预措施在降低目标障碍（如惊恐障碍）的风险方面是有效的，但干预的重点是狭隘的，从而限制了这些干预措施的传播。一个

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Anxiety disorders constitute one of the most prevalent forms of psychopathology, resulting in significant impairment in daily functioning in those suffering from anxiety and a profound economic burden for society. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of efficacious treatment for the anxiety disorders. Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, the prevalence of anxiety disorders remains high, suggesting a need for increased efforts aimed at preventing these disorders. Several risk factors (e.g., anxiety sensitivity, subclinical anxiety) associated with the development of anxiety disorders have been identified in recent years. However, the development of preventive interventions targeting these risk factors is in the nascent stage. To date, preventive interventions have tended to target specific anxiety disorder symptoms (e.g., panic attacks). Although these interventions are effective at reducing risk for the targeted disorder (e.g., panic disorder), the focus of the intervention is narrow, thereby limiting the dissemination of these interventions. One approach that may broaden the scope of our prevention efforts is the development of a transdiagnostic intervention. Transdiagnostic treatments aim to provide a parsimonious approach to treatment by creating protocols designed to treat multiple disorders that are deemed similar in nature. Currently, these protocols have only been used in those with diagnosed conditions (e.g., anxiety disorders); however, it makes sense that a transdiagnostic approach may also be helpful for those at-risk for developing anxiety disorders. This is especially true for individuals experiencing subclinical anxiety symptoms, as these individuals are likely displaying a variety of anxiety symptoms (i.e., social anxiety, worry) that can be targeted in a transdiagnostic approach. Indeed, the development of a transdiagnostic intervention for this group may be a key next step in providing a cost-effective preventative approach of these disorders. The primary goal of the proposed study is to adapt an existing transdiagnostic treatment, False Safety Behavior Elimination Treatment (F-SET; Schmidt et al., 2012), to use as a preventative intervention for those with subclinical anxiety. The proposed study is a novel approach building on current prevention work by incorporating what we know about the use of CBT and the benefits of transdiagnostic treatment approaches. The proposed intervention will be used across a range of anxiety symptom groups (e.g., subclinical panic, social anxiety, worry) and will provide an initial test of the efficacy of a transdiagnostic intervention for those at risk for developing problems with anxiety. The proposed study will adapt the F-SET protocol to a shortened, easy to use, preventive intervention. Specifically, we are interested in whether F-SET for subclinical anxiety would be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms at post- intervention and at a one-month follow-up. We are also interested in examining the potential mechanisms (e.g., mediating role of safety aid utilization) involved in the reduction of anxiety symptoms.