Personality change following internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for severe health anxiety.

ABSTRACT:

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Personality traits have traditionally been viewed as stable, but recent studies suggest that they could be affected through psychological treatment. Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for severe health anxiety (DSM-IV hypochondriasis) has been shown to be effective in reducing health anxiety, but its effect on measures of personality traits has not been investigated. The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ICBT on personality traits in the three broad dimensions--neuroticism, extraversion and aggression. We hypothesized that participants in ICBT would reduce their level of neuroticism compared to controls that did not receive the active treatment. No specific predictions were made regarding extraversion and aggression. Data from a random

SUBMITTER: Hedman E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4250052 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature