Introduction
It is no secret that specialists use many non-drug methods to treat their patients in their psychological practice. Many of these psychological treatment approaches’ effectiveness and necessity remain situational, controversial, insufficiently explored, or even unproven.
Distraction is one of those therapeutic methods that fall into this category (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). The poorly understood nature of this and another questionable psychological approach, namely the suppression of thoughts, motivated the author of this source analysis paper to conduct research. How this and another questionable psychological technique, namely the suppression of thoughts, affect addiction treatment is the author of this source analysis paper’s research topic. Before conducting the research itself, it is necessary to evaluate the theoretical basis critically. In this work, the author presents an analysis of one of the primary sources, namely Measuring Beliefs About Distraction: Might the Function of Distraction Matter More than Distraction Itself? by Senn and Radomsky.
Research Method, Purpose of the Study, and Hypothesis
In their study, the authors focused on one of the important factors associated with the essence of distraction in exposure therapy, namely the beliefs about distraction. Senn and Radomsky (2015) note the purpose of their study is “understanding the impact of beliefs about distraction on exposure outcome through creating and validating a questionnaire to assess maladaptive beliefs about distraction: the Beliefs about Distraction Inventory (BADI)” (p. 828).
They also hypothesized that “a questionnaire of this nature will allow for more accurate assessment of distraction-related beliefs, which can then be used to assess better the relationships between maladaptive beliefs about distraction and the efficacy of using distraction during exposure” (Senn & Radomsky, 2015, p. 828). Data collection through questionnaires and its further interpretation to gain knowledge and understanding of the topic indicates that the authors’ research method is a survey.
Findings, Conclusions, Implications of the Study, and Future Directions
The outcomes reached by the researchers can be considered positive both in the context of the study aim, the proposed hypothesis, and in general. Writers claim that the maladaptive idea that distraction is indispensable has stronger ties with the psychopathology of anxiety than the idea that distraction is an effectual coping technique (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). Moreover, they discovered that the latter also correlates with distraction techniques application in cases of depression (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). However, the idea that distraction is indispensable does not correlate with distraction techniques application in states of depression (Senn & Radomsky, 2015).
Senn and Radomsky (2015) conclude that “overall it appears that the BADI is a reliable and valid measure” (p. 837). The authors of the study also suggest that their work will be useful for the theory and practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy and that their unique questionnaire will be an effective evaluation tool in psychologists’ clinical practice (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). According to Senn and Radomsky (2015), future research should focus on themes such as maladaptive beliefs, distraction, treatment inferences, and their relations. Another topic they mention is the structure factor of the BADI.
Importance of the Work and Criticism of Research Design and Conclusions Made
During the analysis of the work, some points were noticed that deserve criticism. One of them is the participants of the study. The overwhelming majority of the respondents are women in both sample audiences (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). Moreover, more than half of them are of Caucasian ancestry in both groups (Senn & Radomsky, 2015). It makes the conclusions made about maladaptive beliefs about distraction less representative and applicable to other sexes, genders, races, and ethnicities. It also creates doubts about the reliability of BADI. The researchers’ measurement tool does not consider the types of anxiety-provoking conditions as a variable.
Senn and Radomsky (2015) themselves note this when discussing limitations. It also undermines the credibility of the BADI. This work is vital for the author’s topic question as it provides essential information about factors associated with distraction and psychological non-drug treatment, methods of sampling, data collection, and analysis.
Conclusion
This work analyzes and criticizes one of the primary sources that served as the theoretical basis for the study’s topic and research question. It should be mentioned that this work is Measuring Beliefs About Distraction: Might the Function of Distraction Matter More than Distraction Itself? by Senn and Radomsky. The author of this critical essay identified the purpose of the study and hypothesis, as well as summarized the research method. It was found that the research method that the author applied is a survey. Major findings and conclusions and how the authors see their work within the framework of academic discourse were also described here.
In addition, the relevance of this work to the research question was explained, and several writers’ decisions were criticized. It is worth mentioning that this work and other scientific articles that have become sources of future research have significantly developed the critical thinking and research skills of the author of this critical essay. They also considerably developed the writer’s theoretical background in psychology and related disciplines.
References
Senn, J., & Radomsky, A. (2015). Measuring beliefs about distraction: might the function of distraction matter more than distraction itself? Cognitive Therapy & Research, 39(6), 826–840. Web.