Problematic attention processing and fear learning in adolescent anxiety: Testing a combined cognitive and learning processes model

ConclusionsThis study provides unique evidence of the combined effects of attention and fear generalisation mechanisms in explaining youth anxiety, and interrelations between these factors. Importantly, results suggested that deficiencies in attention control may bring out anxiety-associated impairments in fear generalisation.LimitationsWe relied on self-reported ratings of fear during generalization and also of attention control. Thus demand effects cannot be discounted. Reaction-time measures of attention focus are also indirect assessments of attention that may lack precision.
Source: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research