Abstract

MATHEUS, Ivna; CARVALHO, Marcele; NARDI, Antonio Egidio  and  COSTA, Rafael. Virtual reality for driving phobia: cognitions and self-efficacy. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.1, pp.298-306.  Epub Apr 30, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230128.

Growing number of researches has studied driving phobia of in the last decades. Excessive fear of driving can cause impacts on the individual's career, social embarrassment and significant restrictions on their autonomy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with virtual reality exposure and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies were able to 1- reduce the frequency of cognitive distortions associated with driving, 2- increase participants' sense of self-efficacy, and 3 - increase the probability of going to in vivo exposure. 18 participants were randomly allocated into three groups: 1) 3 cognitive restructuring sessions + 7 virtual reality exposure sessions; 2) 3 relaxation / diaphragmatic breathing sessions + 7 virtual reality exposure sessions; 3) 3 relaxation / diaphragmatic breathing sessions and cognitive restructuring + 7 virtual reality exposure sessions. Participants answered Driving Cognition Questionnaire (DCQ) and the Self-efficacy Driving Scale (EADir - v2) in the first and tenth session. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of distorted thoughts and a significant increase in participants' sense of self-efficacy. In addition, it can be observed that the treatment favored to go to in vivo exposures. CBT strategies and virtual reality exposure proved to be effective. Although there are statistically significant changes in the mean scores of the instruments used, we can point out as limitations of this study the sample size. We use nonparametric statistical test and there was not follow up to confirm if the gains were maintained. Therefore, we recommend new investigations, controlling these variables.

Keywords : Virtual reality; Driving phobia; Cognitions; Self-efficacy.

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