title: Self-focused attention and safety behaviors across group therapies for social anxiety disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-focused attention (SFA) and safety behaviors are two variables implicated in the maintenance of social anxiety disorder (SAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study examined SFA and safety behaviors across two therapies for SAD, cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) and mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants with symptoms meeting criteria for SAD (N = 137) were randomly assigned to the 12-week-treatment groups (n = 53 for each condition) or a waitlist control (n = 31). Variables were assessed at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and a 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both treatment conditions reported significantly lower SFA and safety behaviors compared to control, but did not differ from one another at posttreatment. Mediation analyses supported the following models: (1) safety behaviors mediating the relationship between SFA and social anxiety, and (2) SFA mediating the relationship between safety behaviors and social anxiety. These models were supported for both treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both treatments may have the potential to reduce the SFA and safety behaviors that serve to maintain SAD.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Desnoyers
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Kocovski
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto , Canada.|c University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Jan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , Ryerson University , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Antony
mesh_terms: D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D002170:Canada; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods; D000072861:Phobia, Social / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CBT; Self-focused attention; mindfulness; safety behaviors; social anxiety disorder