Evaluating Perceived Probability of Threat-Relevant Outcomes and Temporal Orientation in Flying Phobia.

Elena Mavromoustakos,Adam J Rock,Gavin I Clark,Tifei Yuan

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161272

Abstract

Probability bias regarding threat-relevant outcomes has been demonstrated across anxiety disorders but has not been investigated in flying phobia. Individual temporal orientation (time perspective) may be hypothesised to influence estimates of negative outcomes occurring. The present study investigated whether probability bias could be demonstrated in flying phobia and whether probability estimates of negative flying events was predicted by time perspective. Sixty flying phobic and fifty-five non-flying-phobic adults were recruited to complete an online questionnaire. Participants completed the Flight Anxiety Scale, Probability Scale (measuring perceived probability of flying-negative events, general-negative and general positive events) and the Past-Negative, Future and Present-Hedonistic subscales of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (variables argued to predict mental travel forward and backward in time). The flying phobic group estimated the probability of flying negative and general negative events occurring as significantly higher than non-flying phobics. Past-Negative scores (positively) and Present-Hedonistic scores (negatively) predicted probability estimates of flying negative events. The Future Orientation subscale did not significantly predict probability estimates. This study is the first to demonstrate probability bias for threat-relevant outcomes in flying phobia. Results suggest that time perspective may influence perceived probability of threat-relevant outcomes but the nature of this relationship remains to be determined.

Highlights

Flying phobia, known as aviophobia and the fear of flying, is a highly prevalent situational specific phobia [1] with research suggesting that between 2.5% and 40.0% of the population experience anxiety related to flying on aeroplanes [2]
The use of the Visual Analogue Flight Anxiety Scale (VAFAS) to identify a flying phobic and non-flying phobic group was supported by the means on the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire (FAS), which were similar to those obtained by Nousi et al [4] in a sample of over 2000 flying phobics and over 1000 non-flying phobics
The present study aimed to investigate if probability bias could be demonstrated in a sample of individuals with high levels of anxiety associated with flying

Summary

Introduction

Known as aviophobia and the fear of flying, is a highly prevalent situational specific phobia [1] with research suggesting that between 2.5% and 40.0% of the population experience anxiety related to flying on aeroplanes [2]. Individuals with flying phobia experience a number of fears regarding the flying experience [3] and experience significant anxiety when flying [4]. Flying phobics will often avoid or restrict their flying to the bare minimum, which may adversely impact on family, social and professional life [5]. The fear of flying has been found to be associated with the appraisal of both internal and external sources of threat [6]. External danger appraisals typically relate to negative flying.

Methods

Results

Conclusion