Pages: 25-31

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on symptoms of social anxiety disorder in students. Materials and Methods: This is a non-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with control and follow-up group. The statistical population consisted of all male students studying in Javanrud Secondary School. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select 24 people and was replaced by two groups. Demographic characteristics questionnaire and Spence Social Anxiety Inventory (SPIN) were used to collect information. Data analysis was done using SPSS-22 software, using descriptive statistics and covariance analysis. Results: The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in reducing social anxiety disorder and two components of fear and avoidance (P <0.05); however, this difference was not significant in the physiological component (P <0.05) ) Also, therapeutic effects were observed in the 1 month follow-up phase. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce social anxiety disorder in people under treatment. It is recommended to use this therapeutic approach for people with anxiety disorders in Iranian patients.