Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group and Individual Cognitive-Behavior Therapy on Reducing Social Anxiety Symptoms

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavior group therapy (CBGT) and individual cognitive–behavior therapy (ICBT) in reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD). The participants consisted of 28 patients who were referred to psychological treatment centers of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences University and were diagnosed as having SAD. The sample was randomly allocated to the two groups of 14 participants (12 primary and 2 reserves). Each group participated separately in 12 sessions mainly based on Heimberg’s model for SAD. Pretest and posttest data using Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition were collected and analyzed by analysis of covariance. The results showed that after pretest depression was co varied out، CBGT compared with ICBT was more effective in reducing fear and physiolo-gical arousal but there was no significant difference between the two groups in avoi-dance scores. Furthermore، improvement rates of CBGT were significantly higher than ICBT group. The clinical significance of findings by different criteria was discussed.