09. Capafons et al 1998 (Contemporary Study) Flashcards
State the aims.
-Capafons et al aims to assess the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation in the treatment of fear of flying.
-A secondary aim was to see whether fear of flying reduced spontaneously without treatment.
-More generally researchers aimed to demonstrate that SD remains comparable in effectiveness with newer therapies.
How was the sample recruited?
-Participants were found by advertising in a media campaign on the radio, press and television.
-It was a volunteer sample as participants responded to the offer expressing their interest to have treatment (free of charge).
Describe the overall sample.
-41 adults with a fear of flying.
-20 received and 21 waited for treatment (control group).
-24 females and 17 males.
-The treatment and non treatment groups were matched for sex, age, and anxiety levels.
Describe the treatment group sample.
-20 people.
-8 males and 12 females.
-Mean age of 29.65
Describe the control group sample.
-21 people.
-9 males and 12 females.
-Mean age of 34.05
Describe the type of experimental design used.
Independent groups design:
-Independent variable was treatment/no treatment.
-Each participant was only in one condition.
-The control group had their fear of flying assessed at 2 time points without treatment, whilst the experimental group were assessed, treated, then assessed again.
-For ethical reasons the control group did later receive treatment, so they were a waiting control group.
What was the dependent variable?
The dependent variable was fear of flying and was measured in a number of ways including the Fear of Flying Scale and the Scales of Expectations of Danger and Anxiety.
How did the researchers assess the participants fear of flying pre and post treatment?
Pre and post treatment assessments were carried out, asking patients close ended, self report questions and clinical interviewing.
1. Answering 3 questions from IDG-FV.
2. The 3 EMV scales.
3. The 2 EPAV scales.
What were the 3 questions from IDG-FV?
-How afraid of flying would you say you were? (not at all, a little, very, extremely)
-Do you travel by plane when there is no alternative?
-Whilst flying, have you ever had any following symptoms? (list of 21 symptoms such as sweating and loss of control)
What is ranked on the 3 EMV scales?
- Fear during fight.
- Fear of flight preliminaries (going to airport).
- Fear without involvement (seeing a plane).
What is ranked on the 2 EPAV scales
- Catastrophic thoughts
- Physiological anxiety
How did the researchers record the participants actual physiological arousal?
-Ppts had their resting physical measures taken.
-Measures of heart rate, palm temperature and muscular tension in response to a videotape of flying, sitting exactly 1.8m away from the screen during take off.
-Measures here are divided for each subject by the baseline and measures obtained.
Describe what happened pre-treatment.
Participants were interviews before their treatment began. They were asked about their life history and fear of flying.
Describe what happened to the control group at the end of the video.
They had their physical measurements taken, but after that nothing happened for 8 weeks.
Describe what happened to the treatment group at the end of the video?
-They received treatment which consisted of 2 one hour sessions a week.
-After the treatment, measures were taken when they reached the end of the fear hierarchy they experienced real life situations of flying. Patients had to take 2 flights (outward and return journeys of the same trip). The first flight was to take place in the 7 days following the treatment.
-They had 12-15 sessions all together finishing within 8 weeks.
