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Author(s): Daniel W. M. Maitland [sup.1] , Elizabeth C. Neilson [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.260234.1, 0000 0001 0086 3760, Department of Psychology, Morehead State University, , 150 University Blvd, 40351, [...], Behavioral theories of depression posit that depression results from the environment not adequately reinforcing non-depressive behaviors. One commonly used treatment based on the behavioral model of depression is Behavioral Activation. While many implementations of Behavioral Activation emphasize social interactions, there is limited empirical investigation into the contribution of specific facets of social engagement in the behavioral model of depression. Fear of intimacy, an indicator of willingness to engage in specific types of social interactions, may play an important role in understanding at a functional level what aspects of social engagement are important in behavioral activation. The current study (N = 353) proposes a model, anchored in functional outcomes of behavioral interactions, to explain the development and utilization of social support as environmental enrichment. The proposed model accounted for 55% of the variance of depressive symptoms. Findings were consistent with a model where fear of intimacy was directly and indirectly associated with depression via activation, social support, and environmental enrichment. Notably, social support was not directly associated with depression. Findings suggest the importance of incorporating vulnerable self-disclosure in behavioral activation treatments to foster environmental enrichment.

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a form of therapy grounded in behavioral principles that utilizes therapist reactions to shape target behavior. Despite a growing literature base, there is a paucity of research to establish the efficacy of FAP. As a general approach to psychotherapy, and how the therapeutic relationship produces change, FAP does not specify a disorder construct as a dependent variable. In addition, because of its functional, idiographic nature FAP is also challenging to specify as an independent variable. The present paper suggests interpersonal relating as a domain of focus for a line of FAP research and describes four levels of FAP application to contribute to specifying FAP as an independent variable for use in research. Illustrative data from an ongoing study comparing FAP to supportive listening for interpersonal difficulties demonstrates an application of these suggestions for promoting FAP efficacy research. (Contains 1 figure.)

This study identified profiles of pornography motivations and outcomes and assessed differences between profiles on three measures of social well-being: social support, fear of intimacy, and loneliness. Latent profile analysis and group comparisons were conducted using cross-sectional data from college students (N = 389). Results indicated four profiles: low motivation/average distress, porn for enjoyment, high motivation/average guilt, low motivation/high distress. Those in the high motivation/average guilt profile reported more social well-being difficulties relative to the other profiles and non-pornography consumers. Results suggest that individuals who report varying pornography use motivations and negative outcomes may report difficulties with social well-being, with implications for intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of alcohol-involved sexual assault against women highlights the need to identify how the presence of alcohol interacts with risk factors associated with sexual assault perpetration. One risk factor for sexual assault perpetration is fear of intimacy, the inhibited capacity to exchange vulnerable thoughts and emotions with a valued individual. Men who have perpetrated sexual violence report higher fear of intimacy and alcohol use than those who have not. However, little research has investigated how fear of intimacy may contribute to sexual assault perpetration in the context of alcohol intoxication. This study examined alcohol intoxication, fear of intimacy, proximal power-related emotions, and nonconsensual sex intentions. Non-monogamous, male social drinkers (N = 94) completed measures and were randomly assigned to an alcohol condition (alcohol [BrAC =.10%] versus control). Participants then read a sexual assault analogue scenario depicting sexual assault against a hypothetical woman and reported power-related emotions and nonconsensual sex intentions. Self-reported fear of intimacy differed across types of past perpetration. Results found that for intoxicated men only, fear of intimacy was positively associated with power-related emotions, and power-related emotions were positively associated with nonconsensual sex intentions. These associations were not observed for men in the control condition who did not consume alcohol. Future research should examine intimacy-related interventions for sexual assault prevention programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of alcohol-involved sexual assault against women highlights the need to identify how the presence of alcohol interacts with risk factors associated with sexual assault perpetration. One risk factor for sexual assault perpetration is fear of intimacy, the inhibited capacity to exchange vulnerable thoughts and emotions with a valued individual. Men who have perpetrated sexual violence report higher fear of intimacy and alcohol use than those who have not. However, little research has investigated how fear of intimacy may contribute to sexual assault perpetration in the context of alcohol intoxication. This study examined alcohol intoxication, fear of intimacy, proximal power-related emotions, and nonconsensual sex intentions. Non-monogamous, male social drinkers ( N = 94) completed measures and were randomly assigned to an alcohol condition (alcohol [BrAC = .10%] versus control). Participants then read a sexual assault analogue scenario depicting sexual assault against a hypothetical woman and reported power-related emotions and nonconsensual sex intentions. Self-reported fear of intimacy differed across types of past perpetration. Results found that for intoxicated men only, fear of intimacy was positively associated with power-related emotions, and power-related emotions were positively associated with nonconsensual sex intentions. These associations were not observed for men in the control condition who did not consume alcohol. Future research should examine intimacy-related interventions for sexual assault prevention programming.

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP; Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991) is a transdiagnostic approach to outpatient psychotherapy that presented guidelines to instantiate the behavioral principle of natural, social reinforcement applied to idiographic behavioral targets within a genuine and authentic psychotherapy relationship. We present the first comprehensive review of research on FAP, including qualitative studies, uncontrolled and controlled single-case designs, group designs, and studies on training therapists in FAP. We conclude that current research support for FAP is promising but not sufficient to justify claims that FAP is research-supported for specific psychiatric disorders. There is stronger support for FAP's mechanism of therapist-as-social reinforcer: FAP techniques, when appropriately applied to idiographically defined behavioral problems-primarily in the realm of social functioning-produce positive change in those behaviors., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)