COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL GROUP TREATMENT FOR SOCIAL PHOBIA IN ADOLESCENTS- A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

The present study is a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of a new cognitive-behavioral group treatment protocol for social phobia in adolescents. Five adolescents with social phobia were treated in a 16-session group treatment program, with parental involvement in selec ted sessions. Treatment involved skills training (social skills, probl em solving, assertiveness), cognitive restructuring, behavioral exposu re, and homework. Self-report measures of anxiety and depression, take n throughout treatment, indicated significant improvements over a 1-ye ar follow-up period. Behavior test measures also indicated a decrease in subjective anxiety ratings after treatment which was maintained at follow-up. Structured diagnostic interviews 1 year after treatment con firmed full remission of social phobia for four subjects, with one sub ject's phobia in partial remission, Overall, the present findings supp ort the continued evaluation of this protocol for social phobic adoles cents.