Stefan, S., Stroian, P., Fodor, L., Matu, S., Nechita, D., Boldea, I., Fechete, I., Mătiță, D. & Mustățea, M. (2023). An online contextual schema therapy workshop for social anxiety symptoms – A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 29, 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.06.005
Given the high prevalence of social anxiety, developing accessible psychological interventions for this condition becomes a priority. Self-criticism and experiential avoidance have been established as two transdiagnostic mechanisms involved in social anxiety. Contextual Schema Therapy (Cst; roediger, stevens, & brockman, 2018) is a novel psychological treatment addressing these two mechanisms by conceptualizing them as two distinct patterns of schema activation (modes). We therefore aimed to test the efficacy of a brief (single session) CST intervention, delivered in an online group format, for individuals with social anxiety symptoms. We also examined experiential avoidance as a potential mechanism of change. 112 participants with social anxiety symptoms above cut-off were randomized to either the CST group intervention or a waitlist control group. The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale – Second Version (BFNE-II) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – Second Version (AAQ-2) were filled in by participants at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at a two-week follow-up. The CST intervention comprised psychoeducation, a conceptualization of social anxiety in schema and mode terms, reflection exercises, chairwork and imagery techniques. At follow-up, significant reductions in fear of negative evaluation and experiential avoidance were found in the CST group. Experiential avoidance was a marginally significant mediator of the changes in fear of negative evaluation from pre-test to follow-up. The results support the potential large-scale usefulness of brief online CST interventions with socially anxious individuals.
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