Abstract
The current study examined changes in social anxiety thoughts and beliefs following cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT).
Participants (N = 77) were adults with a principal diagnosis of SAD who received 12, 2-h sessions of group CBT at a hospital-based outpatient
anxiety disorders clinic. There were significant decreases from pretreatment to posttreatment in social anxiety symptoms and
in symptoms of depression, nonspecific anxiety and tension, as well as significant improvements in social anxiety beliefs,
as assessed via the Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS; Turner et al., Psychol Assess 15:384–391, 2003). Change in social anxiety beliefs made a significant contribution to the prediction of social anxiety symptoms at posttreatment
over and above pretreatment social anxiety symptoms and changes in depression, nonspecific anxiety and tension. A positive
change in the belief that others are more socially-competent emerged as a significant unique predictor of social anxiety symptoms
at posttreatment. The findings demonstrate that the STABS is sensitive to cognitive-behavioral treatment. The findings also
suggest that social comparison processes in particular are a key aspect of improvement in social anxiety symptoms. This is
an important direction for future research.
Participants (N = 77) were adults with a principal diagnosis of SAD who received 12, 2-h sessions of group CBT at a hospital-based outpatient
anxiety disorders clinic. There were significant decreases from pretreatment to posttreatment in social anxiety symptoms and
in symptoms of depression, nonspecific anxiety and tension, as well as significant improvements in social anxiety beliefs,
as assessed via the Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS; Turner et al., Psychol Assess 15:384–391, 2003). Change in social anxiety beliefs made a significant contribution to the prediction of social anxiety symptoms at posttreatment
over and above pretreatment social anxiety symptoms and changes in depression, nonspecific anxiety and tension. A positive
change in the belief that others are more socially-competent emerged as a significant unique predictor of social anxiety symptoms
at posttreatment. The findings demonstrate that the STABS is sensitive to cognitive-behavioral treatment. The findings also
suggest that social comparison processes in particular are a key aspect of improvement in social anxiety symptoms. This is
an important direction for future research.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-012-9472-5
- Authors
- Naomi Koerner, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Martin M. Antony, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Lisa Young, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Randi E. McCabe, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916