Interpretation biases are a core feature of social anxiety. Used to automatically train positive interpretation biases, the existing versions of Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation (CBM-I) render mixed results. The current study presents the development and testing of a one-session novel adaptation of CBM-I for social anxiety that provides an adaptive instead of a positive meaning to socially loaded situations. Informed by Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy and latest theoretical upgrades, we argue that biases exist on a continuum from adaptive to maladaptive and defining them by valence may fuel unrealistic positive illusions. A hundred forty volunteers with high social anxiety were randomized to the CBM-I or to the sham-training condition. Baseline, post-training, and during impromptu speech assessments of self-reported anxiety were made, while adaptive interpretation bias was measured at baseline and post-training. First, near-transfer effects in favor of the CBM-I group were found. Second, no far-transfer effects were found regarding the anxiety experienced during the speech. Third, a main finding was that changes in interpretation bias fully mediated training effects on anxiety. To our knowledge, this is the first CBM-I study to evidence that experimentally induced changes in interpretation mediate changes in anxiety. The therapeutic potential of this new adaptation of CBM-I requires testing in clinical samples.

中文翻译：

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积极思维不是适应性思维：对社会焦虑的解释偏差修正的认知行为

解释偏差是社交焦虑的核心特征。用于自动训练正面解释偏差，现有版本的用于解释的认知偏差修改 (CBM-I) 呈现混合结果。当前的研究展示了 CBM-I 的一种针对社交焦虑的单会话小说改编的开发和测试，它为社会负荷的情况提供了适应性而不是积极的意义。通过理性情绪行为疗法和最新的理论升级，我们认为偏见存在于从适应到适应不良的连续统一体中，并通过效价来定义它们可能会助长不切实际的积极幻想。一百四十名具有高度社交焦虑的志愿者被随机分配到 CBM-I 或假训练条件。基线，训练后，在即兴演讲期间对自我报告的焦虑进行了评估，而在基线和训练后测量了适应性解释偏差。首先，发现了有利于 CBM-I 组的近转移效应。其次，没有发现关于演讲期间经历的焦虑的远距离转移效应。第三，一个主要发现是解释偏差的变化完全调节了对焦虑的训练效果。据我们所知，这是第一个 CBM-I 研究证明实验引起的解释变化介导了焦虑的变化。这种 CBM-I 新适应的治疗潜力需要在临床样本中进行测试。没有发现关于演讲期间经历的焦虑的远转移效应。第三，一个主要发现是解释偏差的变化完全调节了对焦虑的训练效果。据我们所知，这是第一个 CBM-I 研究证明实验引起的解释变化介导了焦虑的变化。这种 CBM-I 新适应的治疗潜力需要在临床样本中进行测试。没有发现关于演讲期间经历的焦虑的远转移效应。第三，一个主要发现是解释偏差的变化完全调节了对焦虑的训练效果。据我们所知，这是第一个 CBM-I 研究证明实验引起的解释变化介导了焦虑的变化。这种 CBM-I 新适应的治疗潜力需要在临床样本中进行测试。