THE MATCH MISMATCH MODEL OF FEAR - EMPIRICAL STATUS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This paper reviews empirical evidence for the 'match/mismatch' model o f fear and defines what is currently known about the prediction of fea r. It also outlines several gaps in the literature on this topic and p roblems with the methodology used to study this phenomenon. Some of th ese gaps are filled by studies on the prediction of pain and where rel evant these are discussed. Important areas for future research are ide ntified, the clinical implications of the model are outlined and speci fic suggestions for treatment are made.