Performance in emotion recognition and theory of mind tasks in social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Baez, Sandra; Tangarife, María Alejandra; Davila-Mejia, Gabriela; Trujillo-Güiza, Martha; Forero, Diego A.

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1192683

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 60 publications

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“…In addition, a significant limitation in the current literature on the efficacy of MBIs on social-cognitive outcomes is the focus on healthy samples despite ample evidence demonstrating empathy and ToM problems in populations with psychiatric disorders, such as depression [26], eating disorders [27], and anxiety disorders [28]. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of dysregulation in social processes, particularly cognitive and emotional empathy, as significant transdiagnostic contributors to internalizing disorders such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in terms of their etiology, diagnostic relevance, and maintenance [29,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Effects of a Brief, Fully Self-Guided Mindfulness Ecological Momentary Intervention on Empathy and Theory-of-Mind for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial

Zainal,

Newman

2024

JMIR Ment Health

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Background The utility of brief mindfulness ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) to improve empathy and theory-of-mind has been underinvestigated, particularly in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Objective In this randomized controlled trial, we aimed to examine the efficacy of a 14-day, fully self-guided, mindfulness EMI on the empathy and theory-of-mind domains for GAD. Methods Adults (aged ≥18 y) diagnosed with GAD were randomized to a mindfulness EMI (68/110, 61.8%) or self-monitoring app (42/110, 38.2%) arm. They completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index self-report empathy measure and theory-of-mind test (Bell-Lysaker Emotion Recognition Task) at prerandomization, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up (1MFU) time points. Hierarchical linear modeling was conducted with the intent-to-treat principle to determine prerandomization to postintervention (pre-post intervention) and prerandomization to 1MFU (pre-1MFU) changes, comparing the mindfulness EMI to self-monitoring. Results Observed effects were generally stronger from pre-1MFU than from pre-post intervention time points. From pre-post intervention time points, the mindfulness EMI was more efficacious than the self-monitoring app on fantasy (the ability to imagine being in others’ shoes; between-intervention effect size: Cohen d=0.26, P=.007; within-intervention effect size: Cohen d=0.22, P=.02 for the mindfulness EMI and Cohen d=−0.16, P=.10 for the self-monitoring app). From pre-1MFU time points, the mindfulness EMI, but not the self-monitoring app, improved theory-of-mind (a window into others’ thoughts and intentions through abstract, propositional knowledge about their mental states, encompassing the ability to decipher social cues) and the fantasy, personal distress (stress when witnessing others’ negative experiences), and perspective-taking (understanding others’ perspective) empathy domains. The effect sizes were small to moderate (Cohen d=0.15-0.36; P<.001 to P=.01) for significant between-intervention effects from pre-1MFU time points. Furthermore, the within-intervention effect sizes for these significant outcomes were stronger for the mindfulness EMI (Cohen d=0.30-0.43; P<.001 to P=.03) than the self-monitoring app (Cohen d=−0.12 to 0.21; P=.001 to P>.99) from pre-1MFU time points. No between-intervention and within-intervention effects on empathic concern (feeling affection, compassion, and care when observing others in distress, primarily attending to their emotional well-being) were observed from pre-post intervention and pre-1MFU time points. Conclusions The brief mindfulness EMI improved specific domains of empathy (eg, fantasy, personal distress, and perspective-taking) and theory-of-mind with small to moderate effect sizes in persons with GAD. Higher-intensity, self-guided or coach-facilitated, multicomponent mindfulness EMIs targeting the optimization of social relationships are likely necessary to improve the empathic concern domain in this population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04846777; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04846777

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Effects of a Brief, Fully Self-Guided Mindfulness Ecological Momentary Intervention on Empathy and Theory-of-Mind for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial

Zainal,

Newman

2024

JMIR Ment Health

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Health, psychosocial and cognitive factors associated with anxiety symptoms

Mendoza,

Trujillo-Güiza,

Forero

et al. 2024

Curr Psychol

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Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychological conditions among adults worldwide. However, further research is needed on the role of variables such as health indices, stressful events, social cognition, and executive functioning in predicting anxiety symptoms. We conducted two studies to explore the association between these variables and anxiety symptoms in adults. In the first study, we evaluated 548 participants ranging in age from 18 to 73. We administered two anxiety scales and two instruments to assess physical and mental health dimensions and the number of threatening life events experienced. A subsample of 275 participants participated in the second study, where they completed tasks measuring working memory, verbal fluency, and emotion recognition. We used linear regression models to identify the relationship between participants’ anxiety levels and demographic, health, and psychosocial variables. In the first study, our findings revealed that participants with poorer mental and physical health and those who had experienced more stressful events displayed higher anxiety levels. Age, sex, physical and mental health were significant predictors of anxiety scores. In the second study, we identified negative correlations between anxiety and social cognition and executive function scores. However, only executive functions emerged as a predictor for anxiety. Overall, the factors of sex, age, mental and physical health, and executive function performance appear to be relevant in understanding anxiety levels and symptoms in adults.

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The mediating role of reflective functioning in the association between childhood trauma and suicide attempt

Andreo-Jover,

Curto Ramos,

Bobes

et al. 2024

Journal of Psychiatric Research

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Performance in emotion recognition and theory of mind tasks in social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 60 publications

Examining the Effects of a Brief, Fully Self-Guided Mindfulness Ecological Momentary Intervention on Empathy and Theory-of-Mind for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial

Examining the Effects of a Brief, Fully Self-Guided Mindfulness Ecological Momentary Intervention on Empathy and Theory-of-Mind for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial

Health, psychosocial and cognitive factors associated with anxiety symptoms

The mediating role of reflective functioning in the association between childhood trauma and suicide attempt

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