The effectiveness of group behavioral activation therapy on cognitive and emotional symptoms in social anxiety disorder

Introduction: The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of group behavioral activation therapy on anxiety and depression, negative evaluation and quality of life in patients with social anxiety disorder. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this clinical trial included all referrers to psychiatric services and private psychiatric clinics with the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder in the city of Mashhad (2016-2017). Number of 24 cases selected through convenient method and they assigned randomly into two experimental and control groups after evaluation. Group behavioral activation therapy sessions were performed only for experimental group in 8 sessions of 90 minutes. Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Short Form Scale of Quality of Life (IRQOL), Consequences of Negative Social Events Questionnaire (CNSEQ) by Wilson and Rapee, before and after, and 3 months after group therapy with behavioral activation approach were evaluated for follow up. The statistical analysis of the current research data conducted using repeated measures of variance analysis method. Results: The results of the data suggest that behavioral activation in post-therapy and follow-up stages had a significant correlation with reduction of fear and avoidance (of social anxiety component) and the component of depression and both the sub-components of fear of negative evaluation (P<0.05), and improvement of psychological components, however, there was no significant effect on physiological discomfort and social relationships and satisfaction from the status of life and physical health. The control group had not significant differences in different phases. Conclusion: In overall, group behavioral activation therapy has impact on depression and anxiety, negative evaluation and quality of life among patients with social anxiety disorder.