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Evaluating a Web-Based Social Anxiety Intervention Among University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial
Hugh Cameron McCall1, Chris G Richardson2, Fjola Dogg Helgadottir3
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|March 23, 2018
Summary
Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively reduced social anxiety symptoms in university students. This digital intervention shows promise for broader use in mental health treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health Technology
- Digital Therapeutics
Background:
- Social anxiety disorder has low treatment rates despite its prevalence.
- Computer-delivered interventions face limitations in effectiveness as standalone treatments.
- Overcome Social Anxiety is a novel web-based CBT program designed to improve upon existing digital interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Overcome Social Anxiety web-based intervention.
- To assess the impact on social anxiety symptoms in a nonclinical university student sample.
- To explore secondary effects on life satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
- Participants were assigned to either the Overcome Social Anxiety intervention or a wait-list control group.
- Symptom severity was measured using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) at baseline and 4-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significant reductions in social anxiety (SIAS, FNE) compared to the control group.
- Effect sizes for social anxiety reduction were moderate to large (Cohen's d = 0.56-0.97).
- No statistically significant changes in life satisfaction were observed in either group.
Conclusions:
- Overcome Social Anxiety is an effective standalone treatment for social anxiety symptoms.
- This study supports the potential of sophisticated web-based interventions in mental healthcare.
- Findings suggest opportunities for developing further digital mental health solutions.
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