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Article
Assertiveness Training and Exposure In Vivo for Agoraphobics
Behavioural Psychotherapy
  • Geoffrey L. Thorpe, University of Maine - Main
  • Eric G. Freedman, University of Maine - Main
  • Joel D. Lazar, University of Maine - Main
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1985
Disciplines
Abstract/ Summary

The effectiveness of brief treatment via assertiveness training and exposure in vivo was evaluated in a crossover study of eight agoraphobics. Treatment brought short-term benefit as assessed by phobia questionnaires and a depression inventory, but assertiveness training did not. Conversely, assertiveness training produced short-term improvements as measured by an assertiveness inventory, while exposure treatment did not. Both treatments were relevant to the problems of our client sample, but they had specific effects on measures closely related to each treatment's target, consistent with the results of a similar recent study by Emmelkamp et al. (1983). At six-month follow-up assessment, phobia questionnaire scores were unchanged from post-treatment assessment, but assertion scores had reverted to pre-treatment levels. In addition, five untreated agoraphobics completed phobia questionnaires on two occasions, six months apart. In a quasi-experiment, their scores on the two occasions were compared with treated clients' pre- and post-treatment scores. Treated clients showed significantly greater improvement, demonstrating the sensitivity of the questionnaires to treatment effects.

Citation/Publisher Attribution
Thorpe, G.L., Freedman, E.G., & Lazar, J.D. (1985). Assertiveness Training and Exposure In Vivo for Agoraphobics. Behavioural Psychotherapy, 13, 132-141. Available on publisher's site at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5846232
Publisher Statement
Copyright 1985 Cambridge University Press
DOI
10.1017/S0141347300010089
Version
publisher's version of the published document
Citation Information
Geoffrey L. Thorpe, Eric G. Freedman and Joel D. Lazar. "Assertiveness Training and Exposure In Vivo for Agoraphobics" Behavioural Psychotherapy Vol. 13 Iss. 2 (1985) p. 132 - 141
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/geoffrey_thorpe/5/