The empirical research in this thesis focused on individual differences in subjective- and physiological reactivity to flight-related stimuli. The results of these studies are mixed, making them... Show moreThe empirical research in this thesis focused on individual differences in subjective- and physiological reactivity to flight-related stimuli. The results of these studies are mixed, making them difficult to fit into existing theoretical models. The relationship between emotional response systems is likely affected by many intervening variables, including higher order cognitive processes. Pre-treatment individual differences in subjective distress reactivity and physiological reactivity to flight related stimuli, and pre-treatment use of cognitive coping strategies were not prognostic of short- and long-term post-treatment clinical course. In the course of therapy, individual reactivity became more strongly related to treatment outcome. The magnitude of change in the use of maladaptive coping strategies during therapy was indicative of long-term persistence of flight anxiety and long-term flying behaviour. Subjective distress reactivity, pre-exposure and during actual flight, was prognostic for short- and long-term treatment outcomes. Adding measurements of physiological reactivity improved the prediction of treatment outcome. The magnitude of synchronous change in subjective and physiological reactivity did not increase with higher intensity of phobic stimuli, and was not related to outcome. Subjective and physiological measurements of fear activation provided partly independent information. Prognosis for clinical course of aviophobia therefore could benefit from including physiological reactivity measurements. Show less
