Cited by 162Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsPsychological Treatments and Assessments

Threat reappraisal as a mediator of symptom change in cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders: A systematic review

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Smits, Jasper A. J., Julian, Kristin, Rosenfield, David, Powers, Mark B.·2012·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Identifying mediators of therapeutic change is important to the development of interventions and augmentation strategies. Threat reappraisal is considered a key mediator underlying the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. The present study systematically reviewed the evidence for the threat reappraisal mediation hypothesis. METHOD: In our review, we included studies that (a) investigated the threat reappraisal mediation hypothesis; (b) included adults with an anxiety disorder diagnosis; (c) used a longitudinal design; and (d) did not report on previously published findings (to avoid the inclusion of multiple reports of the same data). After data extraction, we made review-specific quality judgments for each study using the following a priori criteria informed by mediation theory: (a) demonstrated statistical mediation; (b) demonstrated that CBT caused threat reappraisal; (c) demonstrated that threat reappraisal caused anxiety reduction; and (d) demonstrated specificity of the threat reappraisal-anxiety reduction relation. RESULTS: Of the 2,296 studies we identified, 25 met inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 56% tested and 52% established statistical mediation, 52% tested and 28% established CBT as a cause of threat reappraisal, 28% tested and 24% established threat reappraisal as a cause of anxiety reduction, and 44% tested and 36% established specificity of the threat reappraisal-anxiety reduction relation. CONCLUSIONS: While threat reappraisal is related to anxiety symptom improvement with CBT, there are few extant studies that meet most of the criteria necessary to conclusively demonstrate that it causes symptom improvement in CBT and that it is not a proxy for other third variables. Recommendations for future research in this area are discussed.

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  1. First MB Spitzer RL Gibbon M Williams JBW Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I/NP): Non-patient Edition 2002 American Psychiatric Press Washington, DC

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Authors
Smits, J. A. J., Julian, K., Rosenfield, D., & Powers, M. B.
Affiliations
Southern Methodist University (US)
Venue
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Published
2012
Volume
80
Issue
4
Pages
624-635
ISSN
  • 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2117
OpenAlex
W1986592878
Cited by
162
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Health (R01DA027533 and R34DA031038)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords
cognitive behavioral therapy, anxiety disorders, mediation, symptom change, anxiety reduction, therapeutic mechanisms
MeSH terms
Adult, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome

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