Date of Award
8-1-2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
First Advisor
Danielle J. Maack
Second Advisor
Laura J. Dixon
Third Advisor
Scott A. Gustafson
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Disgust is a basic emotion with distinct subjective, physiological, cognitive, and behavioral processes that include revulsion, parasympathetic nervous system activity, contamination-specific appraisals, and disease-avoidance behaviors. Pathological disgust responses may contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety-related psychopathology, particularly spider and blood-injection-injury phobias, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Evidence-based treatments for these disorders were developed based on theories of fear and anxiety and involve exposure-based cognitive-behavior therapy. However, traditional exposure methods appear to be less effective at achieving habituation to disgust compared to fear and anxiety. Additionally, individuals with elevated disgust and primary contagion concerns seem to benefit less from traditional exposure than individuals with heightened fear or anxiety and general harm concerns.
Recommended Citation
Wickenhauser, Molly E., "Optimizing Exposure for Contamination OCD: What Happens When Digust is Specifically Targeted?" (2022). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2411.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2411
Concentration/Emphasis
Clinical Psychology