Fear of Flying - Case Study Example

Fear of Flying Affiliation Introduction The fear of flying has become a major problem that affect nearly 10%-25% of the general population. This is equivalent to approximately 25 million of grownups in the US (Rothbaum, Hodges, Smith, Lee, & Price, 2000). Furthermore, it is estimated that 20% of flight passengers are alcohol dependent or use sedatives while on flights. There are serious social and vocational repercussions associated with flying. To help fear of flying people, special programs are available. People use stress inoculation training, flooding, relaxation techniques and systemic desensitization as a way of managing fear of flying in most cases. This information is based on a controlled research on the exposure and therapy covering the fear of flying. According to this research, most people did not employ an effective posttreatmemt flight to determine the results. The main problem emanated from the fact that it was difficult and costly using real planes for study of fear of flying (Rothbaum et al., 2000). This persists as a problem although the number of those who fear flying is drastically increasing. It is a point of concern when many people are unable to fly because of ungrounded fear. This is the reason that propelled the researcher to dig deep into factors and consequences associated with fear of flying. Participants and Procedure Forty-nine participants were chosen and randomly allotted to practical reality exposure therapy as well as the standard exposure treatment. This study included eight distinct sessions covering a period of 6 weeks. Five participants with one therapist boarded the same plane after paying a subsidized fee. Introduction of air ticket was to scare away joyriders but give serious people a therapy session that could change their lives. Method Anxiety management sessions took four full sessions alternated with either exposure to practical airplane or to a real plane at the air depot. The study also involved an actual post-treatment of passengers on a commercial plane. The interest was to determine the level of willingness of subjects to fly as well as determine the state of anxiety among the participants. The research uses the fear of flying rating tool on each individual participant. The Study Results The findings revealed that both Virtual reality exposure and standard exposure ranked higher than wait-list control. Additionally, there seemed to be no discernable difference between the virtual reality exposure and standard exposure. As a way of harnessing the benefits of the study, there followed six months of observation. After the six-month posttreatmemt, a good number of virtual reality exposure and standard exposure subjects had flown (Rothbaum et al., 2000). There was substantial support for both virtual reality exposure and standard exposure as treatment modalities for fear to flying individuals. Putting it differentiate researcher in his dedicated work tries to show that by frequent exposure to the element of fear, the subject gradually gains courage to face the realty. For instance, taking those with fear of flying to an actual plane on a regular basis not only helps in identifying variables that exacerbate fear but also eliminates the unjustified apprehension in most patients (Rothbaum et al., 2000). By going through eight continuous sessions, the fear of flying individuals starts appreciating the safety of planes. Anxiety in most cases is the main cause of fear of flying. The four out of six sessions were fully dedicated to managing anxiety. It is worth mentioning that those who effectively managed their anxiety levels gathered enough courage to fly. The post treatment conducted in six months contributed a great deal on helping these patients face reality. Implications of Results Treatment was more focused on changing behavior of individuals so that they can learn how to cope with both short distance and long distance flying. Deep breathing techniques were used to enhance relaxation by extension allaying anxiety. The major sign of anxiety is raised blood pressure; however, by the end of six months post treatment, nearly all participants had their blood pressure normal. While conducting virtual reality exposure, participants were helped to configure their cognition about flying. The purpose of conducting practical exposure was to help the patients ward off the irrational ideas and take up realistic thoughts about flight (Rothbaum et al., 2000). Most participants acknowledged their problems as the thoughts of the plane going to crush or embarrassing due to anxiety. Participants were treated to a variety of experience just to ensure that they had the full exposure. The virtual reality exposure was conducted on a plane for patients to experience take-offs and landing. Additionally, planes were flown in both rough and calm atmosphere with the participants inside them. This kind of treatment was meant to bring out the fear then immediately tackle it. Other variables with equal effect on patients such as increasing the level of noise were added. This was to create a more real experience of what the patient should anticipate and learn how to accept without fearing while on planes. At the airport, standard exposure helped the patients to familiarize themselves with pre-flight activities such as booking of tickets, appreciating parked airbuses and learning how to wait for planes without feeling anxious (Rothbaum et al., 2000). As an extension of standard exposure, participants spend their last two sessions on a stationary airbus to contain the stimuli from the aircraft as well as learn how to control their imaginations prior to flying. This particular treatment prepares an individual to become comfortable with the flying experience. The point here is to eliminate anxiety triggers. Both virtual reality exposure and standard exposure proved to be effective in treating fear of flying. This is because most participants enrolled in these therapies were able to fly at the end. It is clear that both methods involved behavior modification through actual exposure. The Unanswered Question In as much as the researcher has tried to elaborate on how to manage fear of flying, it is not very clear how he decided to choose the study population. The number of participants is satisfactory however; it was biased in some way. It seems that the population was entirely made up of adults instead of mixing up the population according to age. Proposed Modification a) Preferred Study Population The fact the study did not cut across all ages that are mixing both adults and children makes the used study populations unfit for another similar survey. It is important to examine fear of flying across the board, involving children and adults equally. Although statistics show that most of fear of flying victims is adults, it does not justify that children do not have similar experiences. Conducting a study on both children and adults can present better and long-lasting solutions for fear of flying. Once the younger generation is free of fear of flying, it is easier to control future incidents. b) Testing Materials Materials used in conducting this particular study proved effective as supported by the impressive outcome. The fear of flying inventory scale, physical signs observation and simulations can still be of use even when children are involved. Perhaps what should be added is modifying the environment to be friendlier to children. Introduction of noise different from that of the plane is not necessary. Unexpected noise will definitely cause anxiety by extension fear. Virtual reality exposure and standard exposure are indispensable when conducting a study on fear of flying even when children are part of the study population. c) The Importance of Modification: Study modification helps to cover omitted information while leaving out unnecessary study parts. By making modification the researcher can gather Comprehensive information about fear of flying among different age groups. Application Knowledge gathered from the study on fear of flying can be used to help students with exam phobia. Just like fear of flying, exam phobia individuals need frequent exposure to actual exam situations. Simulations can also help in eliminating exam phobia. For instance, those students with exam phobia can be enrolled on exam training program covering a good number of weeks. While in the program, students are exposed to different types of exams papers, venues and examiners. Teachers and psychologists then can offer counseling services to students in a group and as individuals to address general and specific issues respectively. Managing exam phobia also involves behavior modification just like fear of flying. Most students fear exams just because they think they are unprepared and are likely to fail. This is similar to those passengers who fear that the plane will crush. Anxiety is also evident in exam phobia just like in fear of flying. Without doubt, students behave and perform better after exam phobia therapy. Reference Rothbaum, B. O., Hodges, L., Smith, S., Lee, J. H., & Price, L. (2000). A controlled study of virtual reality exposure therapy for the fear of flying. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 1020. Read More