title: Outcome predictors in guided and unguided self-help for social anxiety disorder.
abstract: Internet-based self-help with therapist guidance has shown promise as an effective treatment and may increase access to evidence-based psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Although unguided self-help has been suggested primarily as a population-based preventive intervention, some studies indicate that patients with SAD may profit from unguided self-help. Gaining knowledge about predictors of outcome in guided and unguided self-help for SAD is important to ensure that these interventions can be offered to those who are most likely to respond. Utilizing a sample of 245 patients who received either guided or unguided self-help for SAD, the present study examined pre-treatment symptoms and program factors as predictors of treatment adherence and outcome. The results were in line with previous findings from the face-to-face treatment literature: namely, the intensity of baseline SAD symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, predicted treatment outcomes in both unguided and guided self-help groups. Outcomes were unrelated to whether a participant has generalized versus specific SAD. Furthermore, for the unguided self-help group, higher credibility ratings of the treatment program were associated with increased treatment adherence. The findings suggest that guided and unguided self-help may increase access to SAD treatment in a population that is more heterogeneous than previously assumed.
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway. tine.nordgreen@psykp.uib.no
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Nordgreen
authors: O E
authors: OE
authors: Havik
authors: L G
authors: LG
authors: Ost
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Furmark
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Carlbring
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists