Date of Submission

2016

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Susan Panichelli Mindel, PhD, Chair

Second Advisor

Elizabeth A Gosch, PhD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Serena Callahan, PhD

Abstract

Cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT) is an empirically supported treatment for anxiety disorders in adolescents. However, research on anxiety and related constructs is lacking within a Latino population of adolescents. Not all adolescents receiving CBGT for anxiety show clinically significant improvements, thus research is needed to identify treatment outcome predictors. Maladaptive perfectionism, including those that are selforiented and socially prescribed, and cognitive flexibility are two constructs that may be related to anxiety from a cognitive perspective. Maladaptive perfectionism and cognitive flexibility deficits have been consistently linked to a host of psychiatric problems in adults and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not a seven-week CBGT intervention could reduce maladaptive perfectionism and improve cognitive flexibility. Additionally, the predictive relationships between pre-treatment perfectionism, pre-treatment cognitive flexibility, and post-treatment anxiety were explored. Results indicated there was no significant impact of CBGT on maladaptive perfectionism or cognitive flexibility, nor was perfectionism or flexibility predictive of anxiety, post-treatment . However, scores of pre-treatment self-oriented perfectionism significantly, positively predicted higher scores of post-treatment generalized anxiety. Treatment implications, design limitations, and future directions for study are discussed.

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