Social phobia treated as a problem in social functioning: a controlled comparison of two behavioural group approaches.
OBJECTIVE
Treatments for social phobia result typically in significant anxiety and avoidance reduction; the repercussions in terms of social functioning, however, are not clear. This controlled study compared two approaches designed to improve the social functioning of social phobics.


METHODS
Sixty-eight socially phobic patients were randomly assigned to two treatments focused on improving interpersonal relationships either with or without social skills training or a waiting list; 60 completed treatment and 59 a 1-year follow-up. Treatment was administered in small groups, 14 sessions altogether.


RESULTS
No clinically meaningful change was observed during the waiting period. A statistically significant and equivalent improvement obtained in both treatment conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Both treatments resulted in reduced anxiety, avoidance, general psychopathology and better social functioning that maintained over follow-up. Continuing improvement in remission rates was noted; fully 60% of the patients no longer fulfilled criteria for social phobia at the end of 1-year follow-up.
Stravynski
A
A
Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Canada.
Arbel
N
N
Bounader
J
J
Gaudette
G
G
Lachance
L
L
Borgeat
F
F
Fabian
J
J
Lamontagne
Y
Y
Sidoun
P
P
Todorov
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012951:Socialization; D016896:Treatment Outcome