Behavioral treatment of childhood social phobia

Sixty-seven children (ages 8 and 12) with social phobia were randomized to either a behavioral treatment program designed to enhance social skills and decrease social anxiety (Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children, SET-C) or an active, but nonspecific intervention (Testbusters). Children treated with SET-C were significantly more improved across multiple dimensions, in cluding enhanced social skill, reduced social fear and anxiety, decreased a ssociated psychopathology, and increased social interaction. Furthermore, 6 7% of the SET-C group participants did not meet diagnostic criteria for soc ial phobia at posttreatment compared with 5% of those in the Testbusters gr oup. Treatment gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. The results are discussed in terms of treatment of preadolescent children with social phobi a and the durability of treatment effects.