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Text Message Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Social Anxiety Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorders
Eating Disorders
Interventions
Behavioral: Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns
Behavioral: Unhealthy Behavior Fading
Registration Number
NCT05612425
Lead Sponsor
Florida State University
Brief Summary

The current study aims to explore the efficacy of a text message based safety behavior fadinig intervention compared to an unhealthy behavior fading intervention for appearance concerns.

Detailed Description

Description: Appearance-related safety behavior fading intervention procedures will follow methodology previously used in the Cougle Lab. The safety behavior fading intervention is designed to target a decrease or elimination of appearance-related safety behaviors.

Individuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day.

Individuals randomly assigned to the unhealthy behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate unhealthy behaviors. They will also receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
203
Inclusion Criteria
  • elevated appearance concerns as defined by a score of 53 or higher on the SAAS
  • Being female
Exclusion Criteria
  • being male
  • Score of 52 or lower on the SAAS
  • Currently receiving treatment (therapy, counseling, etc.) for anxiety, depression, eating disorder, or body image/appearance concerns
  • If applicable, unstable psychiatric medication usage any time over the past 4 weeks

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Safety Behavior FadingSafety Behavior Fading for Appearance ConcernsIndividuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day.
Unhealthy Behavior FadingUnhealthy Behavior FadingIndividuals randomly assigned to the unhealthy behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate unhealthy behaviors that are unrelated to appearance. They will also receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each behavior over the previous day.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
UCLA Loneliness Scale-8Day 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale for measuring loneliness for use in clinical outcome studies. Total scores range from 0 to 32 with higher scores indicating higher loneliness.

Change in Unhealthy Behaviors ChecklistDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale used to measure frequency of engaging in unhealthy behaviors. This scale will be used as a manipulation check.

Beliefs About Appearance ScaleDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale for measuring appearance importance for use in clinical outcome studies. Each item is rated on a 0-4 scale with a total score range of 0-80 with higher scores indicating greater appearance importance.

Change in Social Appearance Anxiety ScaleDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale that measures appearance anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 16 to 80 with higher scores indicating higher levels of appearance concerns.

Change in Eating Disorder-15Day 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale that measures eating disorder symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 90 with higher scores indicating higher levels of eating pathology.

Change in Social Phobia InventoryDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale that measures social anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 68 with higher scores indicating higher levels of social anxiety.

Credibility and Expectancy QuestionnaireDay 0

Self-report scale for measuring treatment expectancy and rationale credibility for use in clinical outcome studies.

Change in Appearance Behaviors ChecklistDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report scale used to measure frequency of engaging in appearance related safety behaviors. This scale will be used as a manipulation check.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression ScaleDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report measure of depression symptom severity.

Assessment of ideal selfDay 0, Day 28, Day 56

Self-report measure of appearance importance where individuals must allocate a budget of 100 to 7 different ideals including appearance, creativity, friendliness, work ethic, intelligence, humor, and income.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Florida State University, Department of Psychology

🇺🇸

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

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