Dimensions of Skill Use in the Unified Protocol: Exploring Unique Effects on Anxiety and Depression

Matthew W. Southward, Shannon Sauer-Zavala

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Although the Unified Protocol contains multiple distinct skills to target anxiety, depression, and related conditions, researchers have yet to establish if patients’ use of these skills contributes to symptom change. Using data from the first-stage randomization of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial, we tested whether general skillfulness, defined by skill knowledge, frequency, quality, and effectiveness, predicted within-or between-person changes in anxiety and depression. We further tested whether use of particular UP skills (e.g., mindfulness and behavior change) predicted changes in these outcomes. Method: Participants (N = 70;Mage = 33.74, 67% female, 74% white) completed six sessions of core UP modules and reported on their skillfulness and specific skill use using two novel measures, along with their symptoms of anxiety (Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale) and depression (Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale) before each session, and their alliance (Working Alliance Inventory) after each session. We disaggregated between from within-person effects to test the effects of skillfulness, skill use, and the alliance on session-to-session symptom change. Results: Greater within-person skillfulness predicted decreases in anxiety and depression. More frequent within-person use of all UP skills predicted decreases in anxiety, whereas more frequent within-person use of alternative actions specifically predicted decreases in depression. Conclusions: This pattern of results provides guidance on the specific aspects of skill training to prioritize in transdiagnostic treatments depending on whether therapists are targeting anxiety or depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)246-257
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume90
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021. American Psychological Association

Keywords

  • Alliance
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Skills
  • Unified protocol

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dimensions of Skill Use in the Unified Protocol: Exploring Unique Effects on Anxiety and Depression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this