Is exposure therapy outcome affected by a monitoring coping style?

Abstract

In the present study, 36 spider phobics received a one-session exposure in vivo treatment. It was investigated whether a monitoring (information seeking) coping style affected treatment outcome. In general, therapy appeared to be very successful. Yet, monitoring was found to be related to larger relapse at one week follow-up. This finding is in conflict with an earlier study of Steketee, Bransfield, Miller, and Foa (1989) that showed a favorable treatment outcome for monitors (information seekers) as compared to blunters (information avoiders). Potential explanations for the seemingly conflicting results are discussed.