An examination of worry and self-distancing as coping strategies for anxiety-provoking experiences in individuals high in worry.

Objectives: This preliminary online study investigated the short-term effects of self-distancing, worry, and distraction on anxiety and worry-related appraisals among individuals high in worry.

Design and methods: N = 104 community members high in trait worry were randomly assigned to think about a personally identified worry-provoking situation using self-distancing (SC), worry (WC), or distraction (DC). Participants rated their anxiety (Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety) and appraisals of the situation (Perceived Probability, Coping, and Cost Questions) at post-task and one-day follow-up.

Results: Mixed factorial ANOVAs revealed an increase in anxiety within the WC (d = .475) and no difference in anxiety within the SC (d = .010) from pre- to post-task. There was no difference in anxiety within the DC (p = .177). Participants within the SC reported a decrease in the perceived cost associated with their identified situation from pre- to post-task (d = .424), which was maintained at one-day follow-up (d = .034). Participants reported an increase in perceived ability to cope from post-task to one-day follow-up (d = .236), and from pre-task to one-day follow-up (d = .338), regardless of condition.

Conclusions: Self-distancing may prevent increases in anxiety and catastrophizing while reflecting on a feared situation.