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Adult - Anxiety

(PS2-45) The Effect of Face Interpretation Training on Social Anxiety Symptoms

Friday, November 15, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text:



Introduction: According to cognitive models of social anxiety disorder (SAD), individuals place excessive importance on gauging others’ reactions (e.g., facial expressions) to their social performance. This may lead to misinterpretation of facial expression. Facial interpretation bias modification (FIBM) was developed to shift interpretations of ambiguous faces. Previous research has tested the impact of FIBM on mood and behavioral results with mixed results. The current study uses a modified FIBM to test whether face interpretation is causally related to SAD symptoms in an unselected adult sample.



Methods: Participants (N=139) were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions (positive, negative, accurate) in a single-session, online study. Participants were directed to choose an emotional label of the face presented using a 15-face morph continuum from angry to happy. Pre- and post-intervention measures of face interpretation and social anxiety symptoms were completed.



Results: As hypothesized, individuals in the positive condition interpreted faces more positively at post-test compared to baseline, t(46) = 5.13, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = -0.71, and individuals in the negative condition interpreted faces more negatively at post-test compared to baseline, t(46) = 3.36, p = 0.002, Cohen’s d = 0.53. Participants in the accurate condition were significantly more accurate at post-test compared to baseline, t(45) = 4.58, p = < 0.001, Cohen’s d = -0.78. Contrary to hypotheses, FIBM did not affect SAD symptoms, F(2, 132) = 0.60, p = 0.549, η2= 0.01. 



Discussion: Results demonstrate that FIBM successfully shifted face interpretations but did not affect social anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that either the current study may have been limited due to methodological factors (e.g., facial stimuli, number of sessions) or that the interpretation of faces may not be causally related to SAD. The current study highlights the need for refinement of SAD cognitive models.