Efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Comorbid Psychopathology Accompanying Emotional Disorders Compared to Treatments Targeting Single Disorders

Authors

Stephanie Jarvi Steele, Boston UniversityFollow
Todd J. Farchione, Boston University
Clair Cassiello-Robbins, Boston University
Amantia Ametaj, Boston University
Sophia Sbi, Boston University
Shannon Sauer-Zavala, Boston University
David H. Barlow, Boston University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Publication Title

Journal of Psychiatric Research

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether the Unified Protocol (UP), a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for emotional disorders (i.e., anxiety, mood, and related disorders), is efficacious in the treatment of co-occurring emotional disorders compared to established single disorder protocols (SDPs) that target specific disorders (e.g., panic disorder).

Method: Participants included 179 adults seeking outpatient psychotherapy. Participant age ranged from 18 to 66 years, with an average of 30.66 years (SD = 10.77). The sample was 55% female and mostly Caucasian (83%). Diagnostic assessments were completed with the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS), and disorder-specific, clinician-rated measures for the comorbid diagnoses of interest.

Results: In both treatment conditions, participants’ mean number of diagnoses dropped significantly from baseline to posttreatment, and baseline to 12-month follow-up. Additionally, large effects were observed for changes in comorbid generalized anxiety (ESSG: UP = −1.72; SDP = −1.98), social anxiety (ESSG: UP = −1.33, −0.86; SDP = −1.60, −1.54), and depression (ESSG: UP = −0.83; SDP = −0.84). Significant differences were not observed in between-group comparisons.

Conclusions: Results suggest that both the UP and SDPs are efficacious in reducing symptoms of comorbid emotional disorders. The clinical, practical, and cost-effective advantages of transdiagnostic CBT are discussed.

Keywords

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Comorbidity, Emotional disorders, Transdiagnostic treatment, Unified protocol

Volume

104

First Page

211

Last Page

216

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.08.005

ISSN

00223956

Comments

Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.

Recommended Citation

Steele, Stephanie Jarvi; Farchione, Todd J.; Cassiello-Robbins, Clair; Ametaj, Amantia; Sbi, Sophia; Sauer-Zavala, Shannon; and Barlow, David H., "Efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Comorbid Psychopathology Accompanying Emotional Disorders Compared to Treatments Targeting Single Disorders" (2018). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/180