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Theories and measurement of visual attentional processing in anxiety
Abstract
Most theoretical models of anxiety disorders implicate maladaptive visuo-spatial attentional processing of threat-relevant information in the onset and maintenance of symptoms. We discuss the central mechanistic hypotheses in clinical science regarding problematic attentional processing of threat in anxiety, reconcile what appear to be contradictory predictions, and integrate those hypotheses to describe comprehensively the overt and covert mechanisms of attentional processing within discrete perceptual episodes. In so doing, we examine critically the prevailing theoretical assumptions and measurement models underlying the current investigations of attention and anxiety, and we advocate for increased precision in the translation of models from vision science to the examination of the mechanisms of attentional processing in anxiety. Finally, we discuss the implications of this approach for future translational research that examines the role of attention in anxiety and its treatment.
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“However, these hypotheses are not mutually exclusive (Weierich et al., 2008).”
From Eye tracking of attention in the affective disorders: a meta-analytic review and synthesis (2012) · cites this paper as Weierich et al., 2008
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“This impairment in cognitive control may contribute to the maintenance of PTSD symptoms, such as hypervigilance and avoidance”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [77]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Weierich, M. R., Treat, T. A., & Hollingworth, A.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- University of Iowa (US)
- Corresponding author
- Weierich, Mariann R.
- Venue
- Cognition and Emotion
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-08
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 985-1018
- ISSN
- 0269-9931 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0600
- OpenAlex
- W2080295629
- Semantic Scholar
- e9c54dfdd8f34510bf727d66345c0e49ff152912
- Cited by
- 245
- References
- 118
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 20.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cognition & Emotion (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Visual Attention and Saliency Detection
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- anxiety, visual attention, threat processing, visuospatial attention, attentional bias, anxiety disorders, threat detection, attentional mechanisms, translational research, anxiety treatment
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