A PRELIMINARY-STUDY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WITH AGORAPHOBIA - SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND OUTCOME OF TREATMENT WITH IN-VIVO EXPOSURE

Eighteen African American and 57 White agoraphobic outpatients were compared on symptom severity. The groups did not differ on severity of depression or fear of fear, or on frequency of panic attacks. However, Black clients were more severely phobic than White clients on self-report, assessor, and behavioral measures. Forty-three White and 15 Black clients provided posttest data after treatment with in vivo exposure. Both Black and White clients improved, but Black clients remained more severe at treatment's end on measures of phobia and changed somewhat less with treatment on these variables. Differences were generally less evident at follow-up, but African Americans did show less change on frequency of panic attacks and on one measure of avoidance.