Cognitive-behavioral group treatment for social phobia in adolescents. A preliminary study

J Nerv Ment Dis. 1995 Oct;183(10):649-56. doi: 10.1097/00005053-199510000-00006.

Abstract

The present study is a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of a new cognitive-behavioral group treatment protocol for social phobia in adolescents. Five adolescents with social phobia were treated in a 16-session group treatment program, with parental involvement in selected sessions. Treatment involved skills training (social skills, problem solving, assertiveness), cognitive restructuring, behavioral exposure, and homework. Self-report measures of anxiety and depression, taken throughout treatment, indicated significant improvements over a 1-year follow-up period. Behavior test measures also indicated a decrease in subjective anxiety ratings after treatment which was maintained at follow-up. Structured diagnostic interviews 1 year after treatment confirmed full remission of social phobia for four subjects, with one subject's phobia in partial remission. Overall, the present findings support the continued evaluation of this protocol for social phobic adolescents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Assertiveness
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy, Group*
  • Treatment Outcome