Coping with public speaking anxiety: An examination of various combinations of systematic desensitization, skills training, and visualization

Abstract

This study examined whether the sequencing of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of an intervention designed to help people cope with public speaking anxiety (PSA) made a difference in the effectiveness of the intervention. Since no data were available to posit hypotheses about the effectiveness of treatment sequencing, all treatment sequences were expected to be more effective than no treatment in reducing self‐reported levels of trait and state CA, the proportion of negative to positive thoughts, and behavioral manifestations of speech anxiety. Contrary to expectations, some treatment combinations were not more effective than no treatment in reducing PSA, negative thoughts, and behavioral manifestations of anxiety. In general, treatment combinations that began with a behavioral component were no better than no treatment in reducing these indicators of speech anxiety. However, treatments that began with cognitive or affective components were effective in reducing trait and state CA, negative thoughts, and behavioral manifestations of speech anxiety.