Video self-modelling versus video peer-modelling : the effects on symptoms and self-efficacy in the fear of spiders

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to compare the effectiveness of video self-modelling to video peer-modelling in increasing self-efficacy in dealing with spiders and reducing spider phobic symptoms. For this study, 16 spider-phobic participants, aged between 19 and 38, were recruited from around the university. They were asked to complete questionnaires regarding their level of spider-phobic symptoms and beliefs; general anxiety and depression; generalised self-efficacy; and how their fear of spiders affected them in their everyday lives. They were placed into matched pairs primarily according to the severity of their phobic symptoms. They were assessed twice during a baseline period with self-report, physiological and behavioural measures. The treatment phase involved one member of each pair watching themselves on video coping well during spider encounters (self-modelling), and the other member watching a copy of the same video (peer-modelling). The treatment included seven exposures to the videos, and participants were required to record their subjective anxiety and self-efficacy each time. Immediately after treatment, the participants were assessed again, and then once more at six-week follow-up.

It was found that self-efficacy level and strength regarding spiders was enhanced more after self-modelling than after peer-modelling, although neither group showed any change in generalised self-efficacy. Participants who had undergone both types of modelling showed equivalent overall levels of reduction in avoidance on the behavioural measure, but self-modelling participants showed the most clinically significant improvements. The self- modelling group showed more reductions in phobic beliefs and self-reported symptoms. Changes in self-efficacy related closely to changes in phobic behaviour. Both groups showed variable changes in subjective anxiety and physiological arousal after treatment. It was concluded that, once a clinician acquired the skills and resources to utilise self-modelling, the findings of superior results compared to peer-modelling indicate that it could prove to be a useful component to include in therapy for phobias.