Anticipatory Traumatic Reaction: Risks and Interventions (Thesis Study 6)

Abstract

An online experiment assessed the effectiveness of interventions intended to mitigate anticipatory traumatic reaction, a form of future-focused distress occurring in response to threat-related media reports and discussions. A stratified sample of 512 Australian adults (recruited via online Qualtrics panels) completed measures of anticipatory traumatic reaction, positive and negative affect, empathy, intolerance of uncertainty, and repetitive negative thinking. Participants then viewed a stimulus video containing a series of terrorism and crime reports, and were randomly assigned to one of seven conditions. The conditions consisted of six brief online interventions, based on standard psychological treatments for anxiety and mood disorders, and one control condition. Risk factors for experiencing higher levels of general anticipatory traumatic reaction included being female, being younger, living with a mental illness, repetitive negative thinking, intolerance of uncertainty, personal distress empathy, fantasy empathy, and a concern about world politics. A cognitive intervention to address probability neglect and a mindfulness intervention both significantly attenuated momentary anticipatory traumatic reaction. This research provides a platform for better understanding the phenomenon of anticipatory traumatic reaction and reducing levels of distress for affected individuals.