Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors
Abstract Safety behaviors are core features of anxiety-related disorders, specifically involving behaviors that do not completely terminate aversive situations, but rather prevent the risk of the occurrence of the expected aversive outcome (US). This study aimed to examine the dynamics of defensive...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76175-6 |
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| author | Joscha Franke Christiane A. Melzig Christoph Benke |
| author_facet | Joscha Franke Christiane A. Melzig Christoph Benke |
| author_sort | Joscha Franke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Safety behaviors are core features of anxiety-related disorders, specifically involving behaviors that do not completely terminate aversive situations, but rather prevent the risk of the occurrence of the expected aversive outcome (US). This study aimed to examine the dynamics of defensive reactivity associated with safety behaviors, both before and after their execution, and to investigate changes in these reactions following extensive training. Twenty-four healthy participants underwent a US-avoidance task as an experimental analog to model safety behavior, requiring a button press to avoid the US without terminating the associated warning cue (CS). Two CS+ were used, with one being devalued during a devaluation procedure to assess the formation of avoidance habits. Defensive reactivity was assessed using fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Participants showed pronounced defensive reactivity to both CS + vs. CS- before the avoidance action, which decreased upon the opportunity to avoid the US. Contrarily, after the avoidance action, a re-emergence of defensive responses was observed as indicated by FPS and increased SCR. Only one participant showed signs of avoidance habit formation. The findings reveal a re-emergence of defensive reactivity following safety behaviors challenging the prevailing belief that relief is the primary sustaining factor of safety behavior. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f415c9a06a0b49d1a0916d4e8ba34d1d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-f415c9a06a0b49d1a0916d4e8ba34d1d2025-08-20T02:18:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-76175-6Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviorsJoscha Franke0Christiane A. Melzig1Christoph Benke2Department of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Philipps University MarburgDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Philipps University MarburgDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Philipps University MarburgAbstract Safety behaviors are core features of anxiety-related disorders, specifically involving behaviors that do not completely terminate aversive situations, but rather prevent the risk of the occurrence of the expected aversive outcome (US). This study aimed to examine the dynamics of defensive reactivity associated with safety behaviors, both before and after their execution, and to investigate changes in these reactions following extensive training. Twenty-four healthy participants underwent a US-avoidance task as an experimental analog to model safety behavior, requiring a button press to avoid the US without terminating the associated warning cue (CS). Two CS+ were used, with one being devalued during a devaluation procedure to assess the formation of avoidance habits. Defensive reactivity was assessed using fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Participants showed pronounced defensive reactivity to both CS + vs. CS- before the avoidance action, which decreased upon the opportunity to avoid the US. Contrarily, after the avoidance action, a re-emergence of defensive responses was observed as indicated by FPS and increased SCR. Only one participant showed signs of avoidance habit formation. The findings reveal a re-emergence of defensive reactivity following safety behaviors challenging the prevailing belief that relief is the primary sustaining factor of safety behavior.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76175-6Exposure therapyEscapeFear conditioningDefensive behaviors |
| spellingShingle | Joscha Franke Christiane A. Melzig Christoph Benke Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors Scientific Reports Exposure therapy Escape Fear conditioning Defensive behaviors |
| title | Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| title_full | Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| title_fullStr | Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| title_short | Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| title_sort | persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors |
| topic | Exposure therapy Escape Fear conditioning Defensive behaviors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76175-6 |
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