Text message safety behavior reduction for social anxiety: A randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Cognitive models implicate maladaptive safety behaviors (SBs) in maintaining social anxiety disorder.
• Current cognitive-behavioral therapies for social anxiety often target SBs, but their isolated efficacy is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel intervention focused on reducing SBs in social anxiety disorder.
• To assess the effectiveness of text message reminders aimed at SB elimination.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-four individuals with elevated social anxiety were randomized to receive 1-month of text message reminders.
• Interventions included reminders to avoid SBs or focus on the present.
• Symptoms were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Both interventions led to significant symptom reduction.
• SB elimination resulted in lower SB frequency post-treatment compared to present-focus reminders.
• The SB elimination group showed significantly lower social anxiety at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings support the critical role of SBs in social anxiety disorder.
• Text message-based SB reduction may be an effective and accessible intervention.
• This approach offers a novel strategy for managing social anxiety.