Study results from Macquarie University, Department of Psychology update understanding of social phobia therapy
2007 OCT 8 -- New research, 'Treatment of social phobia through pure self-help and therapist-augmented self-help,' is the subject of a report. According to a study from Sydney, Australia, "Self-help for social phobia has not received controlled empirical evaluation. To evaluate the efficacy of pure self-help through written materials for severe social phobia and self-help augmented by five group sessions with a therapist." "These conditions were compared with a waiting-list control and standard, therapist-led group therapy. Participants with severe generalised social phobia (n=224) were randomised to one of four conditions. Assessment included diagnoses, symptoms and life interference at pretreatment, 12 weeks and at 24 weeks. A larger percentage of patients no longer had a diagnosis of social phobia at post-intervention in the pure self-help group than in the waiting-list group, although this percentage decreased slightly over the next 3 months. Symptoms of social anxiety and life interference did not differ significantly between these groups. Augmented self-help was better than waiting list on all measures and did not differ significantly from group treatment. Self-help augmented by therapist assistance shows promise as a less resource-intensive method for the management of social phobia," wrote R.M. Rapee and colleagues, Macquarie University, Department of Psychology. The researchers concluded: "Pure self-help shows limited efficacy for this disorder.'." Rapee and colleagues published the results of their research in The British Journal of Psychiatry (Treatment of social phobia through pure self-help and therapist-augmented self-help. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2007;191():246-52). For additional information, contact R.M. Rapee, Macquarie University, Dept. of Psychology, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. The publisher of the The British Journal of Psychiatry can be contacted at: Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Journal of Psychiatry 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG, England. Keywords: Australia, Sydney, Social Phobia Therapy, Phobic Disorders, Psychiatry, Social Phobias. This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
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