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The Plasticity of Adolescent Cognitions: Data from a Novel Cognitive Bias Modification Training Task

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Abstract

Many adult anxiety problems emerge in adolescence. Investigating how adolescent anxiety arises and abates is critical for understanding and preventing adult psychiatric problems. Drawing threat interpretations from ambiguous material is linked to adolescent anxiety but little research has clarified the causal nature of this relationship. Work in adults using Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations (CBM-I) training show that manipulating negative interpretational style alters negative affect. Conversely, ‘boosting’ positive interpretations improves affect. Here, we extend CBM-I investigations to adolescents. Thirty-nine adolescents (13–18 years), varying in trait anxiety and self-efficacy, were randomly allocated to receive positive or negative training. Training-congruent differences emerged for subsequent interpretation style. Induced negative biases predicted a decline in positive affect in low self-efficacious adolescents only. Tentatively, our data suggest that cognitive biases predict adolescent affective symptoms in vulnerable individuals. The acquisition of positive cognitions through training has implications for prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4AU, UK

    Jennifer Y. F. Lau, Emma Molyneaux & Stefano Belli

  2. Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

    Machteld D. Telman

Authors
  1. Jennifer Y. F. Lau
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  2. Emma Molyneaux
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  3. Machteld D. Telman
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  4. Stefano Belli
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Correspondence to Jennifer Y. F. Lau.

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Lau, J.Y.F., Molyneaux, E., Telman, M.D. et al. The Plasticity of Adolescent Cognitions: Data from a Novel Cognitive Bias Modification Training Task. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 42, 679–693 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-011-0244-3

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