Two self-control procedures in the reduction of targeted and nontargeted anxieties.

Abstract

The effects of relaxation as self-control and a self-control variant of systematic desensitization in reducing targeted (test anxiety) and nontargeted anxieties were compared with those of wait-list and no-treatment expectancy controls. Immediately following counseling and at follow-up, groups given relaxation as self-control and modified desensitization both reported significantly less debilitating test anxiety and significantly more facilitating test anxiety than controls. In a stressful analogue testing condition, self-control groups reported significantly less worry, emotionality, and state test anxiety than controls. While no performance differences were found in the analogue situation, relaxation as self-control and modified desensitization subjects had significantly higher psychology grades than the no-treatment expectancy group. Grades of the wait-list group were not significantly different from those of other groups. The relaxation as self-control group showed reduction and maintenance on both measures of nontargeted anxiety relative to the controls. The modified desensitization group showed posttreatment reduction on both nontargeted anxiety measures but maintenance on only one.

Comparison of anxiety management training and self-control desensitization.

“…However, when the introductory psychology grades for the two treatments were combined, the results suggested that intervention based on the selfcontrol model significantly improved introductory psychology grades. Similar effects of self-managed relaxation procedures have been noted for introductory psychology grades (Deffenbacher, Mathis, & Michaels, 1979). Thus, both anxiety management training and self-control desensitization showed significant and equivalent targeted anxiety reduction, a pattern of findings similar to those in previous studies (e.g., Deffenbacher & Shelton, 1978;Denney & Rupert, 1977).…”

Comparison of individualized covert modeling, self-control desensitization, and study skills training for alleviation of test anxiety.

“…In this study, self-control desensitization resulted in a nonsignificant decrement in GPA and was no more effective at changing academic achievement than was the waiting-list control condition. Deffenbacher, Mathis, and Michaels (1979) also reported no substantial grade differences between a similar desensitization treatment procedure and a waiting-list control procedure. In contrast, Denney and Rupert (1977) found significant academic improvement subsequent to treatment with self-control desensitization.…”

Worry as a function of public speaking state anxiety type

“…As previously noted, relaxation as self-control, self-control desensitization and traditional desensitization appear to be effective in reducing worry (Deffenbacher, Mathis, & Michaels, 1979). Studies should be carried out to determine the components of worry-related cognition in a public speaking setting.…”