| Popis: |
The Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) is a widely used instrument to measure approach and avoidance tendencies. In various psychological disorders (e.g., addictive disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.) approach or avoidance biases towards symptom related stimuli can be found. Furthermore, an AAT is frequently used as a method of training in cognitive bias modification studies, which aim to reduce these approach and avoidance biases in order to decrease symptom severity in psychological disorders. However, to the best of our knowledge, no systematic review regarding the reliability of an AAT across disorders exists so far. In addition, there are no consistent reports whether severity of symptoms is associated with a larger bias, as one would expect as evidence for validity. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine the reliability and validity of the AAT. Across studies which conducted the AAT in samples with (sub-)clinical symptoms of psychopathology, the mean bias score (i.e., AAT effect), its reliability, and its association with psychopathological symptoms are examined. |
